A youth - allegedly armed with a hammer - was arrested overnight following an attempted theft of a moped.

In the early hours of Thursday, July 20, police were called to reports of youths attempting to steal a moped armed with a hammer, near London Road, West Croydon.

On arrival of the first police unit, the youths were allegedly still in the process of attempting to steal the moped.

A police officer who was at the scene said that "on seeing police they ran off and following a short chase on foot, officers managed to detain one of the youths nearby who was then arrested for Attempted Theft of Motor Vehicle as well as Criminal Damage and Going Equipped to Steal (all in relation to this incident)."

"Sadly, despite the quick assistance within minutes of officers from the Dog Support Unit as well as further units from Croydon, we were unable to locate the other male and he managed to make good his escape."

The arrested youth remains in Metropolitan Police Custody at this time.

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