There are all sorts of gangs across England, with most, from the outset, seeming quite terrifying.
However, of all the groups, the moped gang sounds the least frightening. It might just be me, but mopeds tend to remind of A) 16-year-old's who can't wait to drive a car B) A frail old man fetching the Sunday paper from the news agents, or C) Fans of The Jam who are unwilling to let the Mod subculture die.
Despite this, an Instagram account which shows the crimes and activities of moped gangs in London, paints those who ride scooters in a whole new light.
Credit: Instagram
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The Daily Mail reports that various youths show off their robberies on Instagram, as well as taunting police. "We smoked the feds," one caption reads along with a video of them swearing at police.
A lot of the posts come from private Instagram accounts, but allegedly show young men using bolt cutters to steal bikes, nicking phones off pedestrians as they ride on scooters, and attacking people.
Credit: Instagram
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Metropolitan Police have warned other moped riders to up their security when it comes to their bikes, as these gangs are known to take any measures to gain a new set of wheels.
Credit: Metropolitan Police
"This problem didn't exist two years ago. It's come out of nowhere and the reason is the College of Policing pursuit framework and the overzealous Independent Police Complaints Commission prosecuting police officers for not complying with [it]," Former Met police officer David Videcette says, blaming guidelines introduced in 2014, the Mail reports.
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The people behind the accounts pose with knives and hammers, and allegedly threaten their victims with them, before selling their stuff via direct messages on Instagram.
Credit: Instagram
50,000 crimes were committed by robbers on scooters and bicycles last year in just London, most of which were mobile phones being nabbed.
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"Illegal activity, including the support or praise of it, is not allowed," an Instagram spokesperson said. "Our global team of reviewers check reports 24 hours a day and move quickly to remove any violating content or accounts."
12 accounts were reportedly closed down by Instagram last night, however many of them has resurfaced under slightly different names.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram