Batman and Robin were spotted making arrested on a packed bridge after police decided to don disguises to hunt down illegal gamblers.
The London Metropolitan Police confirmed two of its officers intercepted a suspect during an illegal gambling sting this week while dressed as the Dynamic Duo. Incredible new footage captures the moment the typically night-dwelling heroes execute a broad daylight arrest on Westminster Bridge, with the officer dressed as Batman seen taking the lead. The two can be seen walking together through the throng on the typically packed bridge before breaking into a run and restraining someone.
The Met said the two had taken the unusual decision to wear disguises to ensure they weren’t spotted by suspects who may be familiar with their usual patrols. The service added that Inspector Darren Watson had taken the lead as Batman while PC Osman accompanied him as Robin, with the pair carrying out a “superhero mission” that led to the conviction of two men on Saturday, February 15.
Inspector Watson hailed the tactic, which he devised after remembering he had the costumes, proclaiming it was “highly effective”. He added: “I remembered that I had Batman and Robin costumes to hand which could come in useful.”
The inspector added he was “thrilled” to see it work, and that it was effective in helping “take these people off the street and protect tourists and Londoners from being fleeced”.
He 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.”
The duo arrested Eugen Stocia, age 32, of no fixed address and Constica-Gherorghe Barbu, age 53, of Herbert Road for providing the facilities to gamble. Barbu was convicted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, February 17 after being remanded by police and fined £925.
Stocia was convicted in absence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 10 after failing to appear in court. A warrant is out for his arrest.
The Met Police have asked anyone who sees suspected illegal gambling gangs operating to report this with the service via its non-emergency number 101 or, in an emergency, dialling 999.
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