‘The Met are letting down cyclists left, right and centre’ – stats reveal topsy turvy police priorities in the capital

London's Metropolitan Police are facing renewed scrutiny following revelations that their enforcement priorities appear significantly skewed. While issuing 2,400 fines to cyclists for red light infractions in the past year, the force has failed to apprehend a single driver involved in a car-on-bike hit-and-run incident during the same period. This stark disparity, highlighted by Cycling Weekly, suggests a concerning focus on minor cycling infringements over serious road crime affecting vulnerable road users.

This imbalance is not merely a statistical anomaly; it reflects a long-standing frustration among London's cycling community regarding perceived police inaction on dangerous driving. The Met's allocation of resources, seemingly prioritising easily enforceable, low-impact infractions over complex, potentially life-altering crimes, undermines confidence and safety. For a city striving to encourage active travel, this approach sends a chilling message, effectively telling cyclists that their safety from serious harm is a lower priority than their adherence to traffic signals.

Ultimately, the Met's data paints a picture of selective enforcement, where the convenience of issuing a fixed penalty notice trumps the challenging work of investigating serious collisions. One might conclude that some crimes are simply easier to solve, or perhaps, easier to ignore.