Sometimes fighting crime really does call for a cape — or two.
In a creative twist straight out of a comic book, London’s Metropolitan Police officers disguised themselves as Batman and Robin to take down a group behind an illegal gambling operation on Westminster Bridge.
Local officers, who had become too recognizable to the offenders during routine patrols, knew they needed a fresh strategy.
So Inspector Darren Watson and Police Constable Abdi Osman swapped out their uniforms for superhero costumes and went undercover.
"We know that two repeat offenders have been operating on Westminster Bridge and have come to recognise me and my team from our patrols," said Insp. Watson.
"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."
Their gamble paid off.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Eugen Stocia, 32, and Constica-Gherorghe Barbu, 53. Both were charged with providing facilities for illegal gambling — games like the classic “three cups challenge” that often lure in unsuspecting tourists.
Barbu was convicted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court just two days after the arrests and was fined £925. Meanwhile, Stocia, who failed to show up for his hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, was convicted in his absence on April 10.
A warrant for his arrest has been issued — though cheeky reports suggest Spider-Man might be getting involved (still unconfirmed).
"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," Watson added.
Sometimes it seems that a little cosplay can go a long way toward keeping the streets of London safe.
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