To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Batman and Robin took a break from cleaning up the streets of Gotham City to swoop on scammers targeting tourists in central London.

Footage shared by the Met Police shows two undercover officers disguised as the superheroes tackling members of an gang running the ‘three cups challenge’ or ‘shell game’.

Inspector Darren Watson and PC Abdi Osman had to ‘think outside the box’ to deliver ‘vengeance’ after officers’ faces became too well-known to the criminals.

Mr Watson said: ‘I remembered that I had Batman and Robin costumes to hand which could come in useful.’


Batman and Robin took a break from cleaning up the streets of Gotham City to swoop on scammers targeting tourists in central London (Picture: Met Police)

The Metropolitan Police Service is tackling an influx of illegal gambling on Westminster Bridge with new tactics. Illegal gambling gangs target tourists with games known as the ?free cups challenge? or ?shell game?. Because the local Met officers have become so well known to these individuals, officers have had to come up with creative plans to deliver ?vengeance?. On Saturday, 15 February Inspector Darren Watson and Police Constable Osman donned their alter ego Batman and Robin costumes and launched their superhero mission.
Inspector Darren Watson (pictured) and PC Abdi Osman had to ‘think outside the box’ to deliver ‘vengeance’ (Picture: Met Police)

The Metropolitan Police Service is tackling an influx of illegal gambling on Westminster Bridge with new tactics. Illegal gambling gangs target tourists with games known as the ?free cups challenge? or ?shell game?. Because the local Met officers have become so well known to these individuals, officers have had to come up with creative plans to deliver ?vengeance?. On Saturday, 15 February Inspector Darren Watson and Police Constable Osman donned their alter ego Batman and Robin costumes and launched their superhero mission.
PC Abdi Osman donned a Robin costume to swoop on the scammers (Picture: Met Police)

He went on: ‘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.’

Eugen Stocia, 32, and Constica-Gherorghe Barbu, 53, were arrested by the Dark Knight and his sidekick PC Osman on February 15.

Barbu was convicted of providing the facilities to gamble on February 17, at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, and was fined £925.

Stocia was convicted in his absence of providing the facilities to gamble at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 10 after failing to appear in court.

The Metropolitan Police said a warrant is out for his arrest.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Arrow
MORE: Mystery of crash victim’s identity finally solved after a decade

Arrow
MORE: Bomb explodes in heart of Athens after anonymous call warns ‘threat is no joke’

Arrow
MORE: Sunny weather to heat UK up to 22C today – but bad news for hay fever sufferers

Breaking News

Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.