Motorcycle Policing
Officers were qualified police motorcycle riders who could patrol London's road network as part of specialist operations.
Specialist Motorcycle Policing
Scorpion Police Motorcycle Units
Scorpion officers were specially trained Metropolitan Police officers who formed part of London's response to crime involving powered two-wheelers. Combining advanced police driving and motorcycle skills with proactive policing, the teams worked across London to tackle robbery and related offending.
What Was the Scorpion Team?
Specialist officers focused on crime involving powered two-wheelers.
The Metropolitan Police Scorpion teams were specially trained groups of officers developed to tackle offending involving powered two-wheelers, including motorcycles, mopeds and scooters. Scorpion officers formed part of the policing response to robbery and other crime in which offenders could use powered two-wheelers to travel quickly through London. The officers were trained police drivers and motorcycle riders. The Metropolitan Police has described members of the teams as advanced drivers, TPAC-trained officers and solo riders. Although teams were associated with particular areas, they could be deployed elsewhere across the Metropolitan Police area when required. Their role was not limited to enforcement. Scorpion officers also engaged with London's motorcycle community and supported campaigns intended to reduce motorcycle and scooter theft.
Specialist Motorcycle Policing
Motorcycles can provide police with mobility in busy urban environments and form an important part of roads and proactive policing. Scorpion officers combined specialist police motorcycle qualifications with advanced driving and professional policing skills. This allowed the teams to support operations focused on offenders using powered two-wheelers. Their work took place within established police command structures and procedures designed to manage public and officer safety.
The Scorpion Role
Scorpion brought together specialist riding, proactive policing and public engagement.
Tackling Robbery
A central focus of the teams was tackling robbery and offending involving powered two-wheelers.
Hotspot Patrols
Teams could patrol areas identified by police as experiencing relevant crime problems
London-Wide Support
Although officers were normally attached to particular areas, Scorpion resources could be deployed elsewhere within the Metropolitan Police area.
Community Engagement
Officers engaged with motorcycle users and helped communicate crime-prevention advice.
Working Together
Scorpion formed part of a wider policing response involving local officers and other specialist teams.
Scorpion at a Glance
- London
- Area of operation
- Specialist
- Motorcycle officers
- Mobile
- Policing capability
- Community
- Crime prevention
The Scorpion capability operated within the Metropolitan Police area
Team members received specialist police driving and motorcycle training appropriate to their role.
Police motorcycles supported proactive patrols across London's road network.
Scorpion officers also engaged with motorcycle users to promote vehicle security campaigns.
Operation Venice
Scorpion became associated with Operation Venice, the Metropolitan Police response developed to tackle crime involving mopeds and other powered two-wheelers in London. The wider policing response brought together different teams and capabilities to address robbery and other offences involving these vehicles. As London's policing priorities and organisational structure changed, the specialist functions associated with Operation Venice were subsequently incorporated into newer proactive policing teams.
Frequently asked questions
Scorpion was a Metropolitan Police specialist team whose officers were trained to target offenders using powered two-wheelers.
Police motorcycles formed an important part of the unit's identity and operations, alongside other police vehicles appropriate to their duties.
Yes. The Metropolitan Police described Scorpion officers as advanced drivers, TPAC-trained officers and solo motorcycle riders.
The Met stated that the teams had a particular focus on robbery involving offenders using powered two-wheelers.
No. Teams had usual areas of responsibility but could be deployed elsewhere across the Metropolitan Police area when required.
Yes. The teams engaged with the motorcycle community and promoted crime-prevention initiatives, including motorcycle security campaigns.
Not as the same standalone team. Metropolitan Police organisational changes merged Scorpion and other proactive capabilities into newer teams.
The former Operation Venice team structure no longer exists. The Metropolitan Police has stated that its officers, skills and functions were absorbed into newer proactive policing teams.
Protect Your Motorcycle
Motorcycle and scooter owners can reduce opportunities for theft by following current police crime-prevention guidance, using appropriate security and remaining aware of local crime information.