The Met Police have launched a campaign against so-called 'snatch' and robbery offences of scooters.

The campaign encourages riders to layer up their security to reduce their vulnerability to thieves, focussing primarily on scooter riders, who are less likely to use strong security products.

In many cases, owners have no security at all on their scooters, making it easy for thieves to steal them and then use them to commit snatch and robbery offences.

Figures show that over 15,000 scooters, motorcycles and mopeds were stolen in London in the last year - more than half of all stolen vehicles in the capital - and scooters were used in the commission of over 14,000 crimes.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick said: "This campaign is about encouraging scooter owners to do everything they can to adequately secure their vehicle against its theft and its subsequent use to commit thefts and violent robberies against the public.

“Police are working hard to make the streets hostile territory for reckless criminals who endanger lives, but it is the easy availability of scooters that is driving the rise in scooter enabled crime.

"So, I urge all riders: properly secure your scooter to reduce its risk of theft. If everyone plays their part, we can thwart these thieves.”

Riders are advised to use more than one lock, mark scooter parts with identification numbers and lock bikes to things that are secure and to use a bike cover when leaving the vehicle overnight.