Home Secretary backs police tactics to tackle moped criminals

Sajid Javid has backed police over controversial new tactics for stopping moped-riding criminals.

The Home Secretary rejected criticism from Labour, saying "risk-assessed tactical contact" is "exactly what we need".

Scotland Yard last week released dramatic footage showing police vehicles knocking suspects off their scooters.

Senior officers defended the use of "tactical contact", saying it was needed to stop dangerous chases and has helped reduce moped-enabled crime in London by over a third.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott raised concerns about the approach.

But Mr Javid, who revealed in June that his phone was taken in a moped mugging before he became Home Secretary, disputed Ms Abbott's assessment.

He wrote on Twitter: "Risk-assessed tactical contact is exactly what we need. Criminals are not above the law."