Scooter Gang Try to Steal BBC Camera on Putney Bridge
Video shows masked gang failing to cut down equipment in place for Boat Race
Video: MailOnline. Reused with kind permission
A gang on scooters have been filmed attempting to steal a BBC camera on Putney Bridge. The equipment had been put in place in advance of the University Boat Race this Saturday (24 March).
The MailOnline has published a video of the group blocking a lane on the bridge in broad daylight as traffic weaves around them.
Three mopeds carrying six masked men, pulled up on Putney Bridge and, using an angle grinder, tried to cut down the camera. Unable to do this they rode off before the police arrived.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told this website: "Police received a number of calls at around 5.06pm on Thursday, 22 March reporting that a group of approximately five males on three mopeds were attempting to remove a camera using an angle grinder on Putney Bridge. Officers from Wandsworth Police are investigating."
About an hour later, what is believed to be the same gang made a successful attempt to steal a similar camera on Barnes Bridge near the finish line of the races at Chiswick. An industry expert estimates the value of the equipment could be £30-50,000 or perhaps more if the lens was housed in the unit at the time of the theft.
Currently no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
Marking the start of the University Boat Races
The BBC will be covering the boat races (from 3.50pm) - the races start just west of Putney Bridge parallel with the University Boat Race stone, the Cancer Research UK Women's Boat Race will take place at 4.31pm followed by the Women's Reserve Boat Race at 4.46pm Osiris v Blondie Boat Race, then the Men's Reserve Boat Race at 5.01pm and finally at 5.32pm the Cancer Research UK Men's Boat Race.
Image: Siglov Freudivan on Twitter
March 23, 2018