Police smash prolific moped gang who carried out 103 raids in just 18 days

A prolific moped gang who carried out more than 100 raids in an 18-day crime spree has been smashed by police.

Police arrested the three teenagers – aged 15, 16 and 17 – that made up the gang after they carried out an extraordinary crimewave across London.

The teens carried hammers and crowbars to intimidate pedestrians before snatching their phones in Camden, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

The trio, who all come from Islington, mounted pavements at high speeds to carry out their crimewave, which totalled a staggering 103 offences in less than three weeks.

All three are now in custody awaiting sentence after they admitted to their crimes at Southwark Crown Court after being arrested by police.

The gang all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, while two also admitted breaching criminal behaviour orders than banned them from riding mopeds due to previous offences on scooters.

Scotland Yard said that it was unable to comment in detail about the conviction of the group ahead of their sentencing, which is due later this year, for legal reasons.

However, it added: “Three youths have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob following a spate of moped-enabled robberies in central London.

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“The charge relates to 103 separate offences committed in central London between 18 April and 5 May.”

The arrests come after a spate of incidents involving crimes being committed by people riding on mopeds.

Met Police figures show moped crime has risen a staggering 700% in two years, from 1,053 in 2014 to 7,668 last year.

Top pic: Rex/stock photo