PHONE-snatch criminals are running amok on 70mph e-bikes — with cops fighting a “losing battle” to stop them, police have warned.
Officers say the menace is so widespread — and the bulky, pimped-up two-wheelers so fast — it is difficult for over-worked units to keep up or stop them.
Thief Sonny Stringer got two years’ jail last month after stealing 24 phones in an hour in London on his e-bikeCity of London Police
City of London Police fear it is only a matter of time before someone is killed by a bandit on a powerful bike, which weigh up to 13st.
Some crooks modify or replace their e-bike motors to make them faster, while others simply buy machines capable of high speeds.
In the UK, e-bikes must not provide powered assistance over 15.5mph.
But City of London’s cycle unit has confiscated one capable of 70.5mph.
And when we joined them, they seized two in less than an hour that can hit 34mph.
We also saw a thief grab a phone from a woman’s hand outside Liverpool Street railway station in central London and speed off.
Sgt Stu Ford said: “We do feel like it’s a losing battle.
“It’s a battle we want to win.
“It’s just so prevalent that we can’t deal with it all the time.”
Inspector Dan Green, part of City of London’s Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team, added: “E-bikes are the weapon of choice, capable of doing ridiculous speeds and agile.
“Dealing with them has always been a challenge.
“Years ago, we cut snatches by 90 per cent when the Met Police started knocking riders off their bikes.
“Nowadays it’s so difficult to even get close to these guys to use that tactic.”
Thief Sonny Stringer, 28, got two years’ jail last month after stealing 24 phones in an hour in London on his e-bike.
He was caught when cops made contact with his rear wheel so he fell off.