London Overrun by Suron E-Bikes: £5K Crime Machines Fueling Terrifying Robbery Epidemic!

Hi and welcome to this Video Production News Friday Op-Ed.

Over the past month in London, I have witnessed a huge escalation in youth riding around our capital's streets on £5,000 unregistered Suron electric motorcycles. Online, there appears to be an increasing number of videos showing these bikes being used to commit crimes.

To be clear, a Suron is not by any means a standard e-bike. It is an unregistered electric motorcycle. While some models may come equipped with pedals, I have yet to see anyone actually using them. Let’s face it: it has two wheels, a motor, and a throttle, propelling itself autonomously, with some exceeding speeds of 50 mph without any pedal assist. By law, a registered moped is restricted to a maximum speed of 28 mph to qualify under that category. The Suron, easily surpassing this limit, falls squarely into the motorcycle category, albeit one that gives its rider total anonymity. Unlike actual law-abiding road users, these bikes lack registration plates, making it impossible to trace their owners.

Why, then, are Surons becoming the vehicle of choice in an ever-escalating wave of so-called "Suron-enabled crime"? Their appeal lies in their efficiency as crime facilitators. First, their anonymity is unparalleled. Riders often forgo the legal requirement of wearing a safety helmet and instead opt for a jet black ski mask, adding to their concealment. Without a registration plate, identifying the bike is nearly impossible. Furthermore, being electric, these bikes are virtually silent, allowing perpetrators to approach unsuspecting victims without detection. Finally, the Suron's sheer acceleration, high speed, and manoeuvrability—thanks to its lightweight build—make it an ideal getaway vehicle, outpacing even traditional off-road motorcycles in urban environments.

A critical question arises: how are young people affording the £5,000 price tag of a Suron? It’s plausible that they are using the proceeds from petty crimes to scrape together the funds. This strategy creates a vicious cycle—petty crimes fund the purchase of a Suron, which then becomes a tool for committing more serious and profitable offences. The cycle escalates, flooding the streets with ski mask-wearing, Suron-riding youths. If this trend continues, we could soon reach a saturation point where the Metropolitan Police find themselves utterly overwhelmed and unable to control the situation.

Borrowing from our observations in recent months, it’s evident that the Metropolitan Police are struggling to keep up. The Suron’s technological edge has caught them off guard. These vehicles, with their formidable speed and agility, present a significant challenge for law enforcement. Even elite units like Operation Venice, which was set up to tackle moped-enabled crime, find themselves outmatched. Surons can weave through traffic, cut across pavements, and evade police vehicles with ease. They can run against the flow of traffic and slip through pedestrian areas where traditional police cars cannot follow. It’s a game of cat and mouse, and the police are finding it increasingly difficult to catch up, both metaphorically and literally.

Looking ahead, unless decisive action is taken, we risk this trend spiralling further out of control. With the recent spike in young riders acquiring these bikes and using them illegally, we could see an explosion in Suron-enabled crimes over the next 18 months. The situation could escalate to a point where the Metropolitan Police are rendered powerless to contain it. The only viable solution, in my view, is the formation of a dedicated Suron task force. This unit would focus exclusively on tracking down and seizing as many illegal Surons as possible, as quickly as possible. By scouring social media, where many young owners are foolishly showcasing their illegal rides, police can identify and apprehend offenders. It is crucial that every perpetrator receives the £300 fine and six points on their driving licence that the law mandates. The increased and likelihood and prospect of losing a £5,000 investment, combined with legal repercussions, could serve as a powerful deterrent to those considering purchasing a Suron for illicit purposes.

Access to the Law and Sentencing:

Legally, Surons are classified as electric motorcycles due to their capability of exceeding 28 mph without pedal assist. As such, they require the same registration, insurance, and licence as any other motorcycle on public roads. Riders caught without insurance face a £300 fine and six points on their driving licence, which can significantly impact their driving record for three years.

In response to the growing issue, the Met Police have adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards these vehicles. Any Suron found on the public highway without proper registration and insurance is now subject to immediate seizure and destruction. This aggressive stance is necessary to curb the rising tide of Suron-enabled crime and send a clear message that such lawless behaviour will not be tolerated.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-Large

VPN City-Desk

citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk