How the Met Solved Moped Crime

In their recent ‘How We Solved It’ video series, the Met chose to feature Op Venice and the way SelectaDNA Tagging Sprays have been deployed to combat moped crime.

The highly successful Operation Venice used a range of strong-arm police methods including specialist tactical 
driving, followed by the use of SelectaDNA tagging spray to crack down on this brazen and widespread crime, that 
affected many everyday Londoners.

The introduction of the new SelectaDNA Tagging Spray appears to have been a major factor in the decline in 
moped-enabled robberies in the Capital, with offenders realising that the police finally have a method of proving 
without doubt they were at the scene of the crimes they commit.

The spray can be aimed by officers at moped offenders, marking the bikes, clothing and skin of any riders and 
passengers with a uniquely-coded but invisible synthetic DNA that will provide forensic evidence to link them to a 
specific crime.

DC Mark Cooper described how SelectaDNA was used so effectively during Operation Venice. He said: “Our use of 
forensic tagging spray linked thieves to the scene of the crime capturing vital DNA evidence to assist in bringing 
prolific offenders to justice.”

He added: “After stopping these riders, we relentlessly pursued justice, building the strongest case for 
prosecutions. Our hard work has been effective in bringing down moped crime.”