Officers from the Met donned their superhero costumes for some unusual new tactics to tackle an influx of illegal gambling on Westminster Bridge.
Illegal gambling gangs target tourists with games known as the ‘three cups challenge’ or ‘shell game’. Because the local Met officers have become so well known to these individuals, officers have had to 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, 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.
“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.
