Batman and Robin cops swoop on Westminster Bridge to tackle gambling gangs
Two police officers, sporting batman and robin outfits, swooped on Westminster bridge as part of a bizarre crackdown on illegal gambling gangs.
The creative tactic was employed by neighbourhood coppers in north west Lambeth after an influx of illegal gambling in the area.
Illegal gambling gangs have been targeting tourists with games known as the ‘three cups challenge’ or ‘shell game’.
Because the police have become so well known to these individuals, officers have come up with creative plans to deliver “vengeance”.
On February 15, Inspector Darren Watson and Police Constable Abdi Osman donned their alter ego Batman and Robin costumes and launched their superhero mission.
Inspector Darren Watson, responsible for local neighbourhood policing in Lambeth North West said: “We know that two repeat offenders have been operating on Westminster Bridge and have come to recognise me and my team from our patrols.
Video shows coppers dressed as batman and robin during an arrest on Westminster bridge (Picture: The Met)
“I knew that if we were going to catch them we would have the think outside the box, and then I remembered that I had Batman and Robin costumes to hand which could come in use.
“Although dressing up may not be the most conventional policing method, we were thrilled to see that in this case it worked perfectly and the team were able to get some great results, taking these people off the street and protecting tourists and Londoners from being fleeced.”
Eugen Stocia, 32, of no fixed address and Constica-Gherorghe Barbu, 53, of Herbert Road, Greenwich were arrested on February 15, for providing the facilities to gamble.
Barbu was convicted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on February 17 after being remanded by police and fined £925.
Stocia was convicted in absence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 10, after failing to appear in court. A warrant is out for his arrest.
If you see illegal gambling gangs operating please report to the Met Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Pictured top: From left, Police Constable Abdi Osman as robin and Inspector Darren Watson as Batman arrest a suspect on Westminster bridge (Picture: The Met)