29 January 2024 , 21:23
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A pedestrian was rushed to hospital after a police vehicle crashed into them on a busy London street.
The police car was reportedly chasing someone on an e-scooter at the time of the crash on Bayswater Road, which runs along the edge of Hyde Park. An image shared on social media showed police cordon tape marking the site of the crash, with a police vehicle on the curb beside a mangled bicycle. Social media users alleged that the car had crashed into a bicycle, but the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers had hit a pedestrian.
The Met Police confirmed that at around 2.40pm today, officers patrolling Westminster chased a thief who made his getaway by riding an e-scooter through central London, which is also illegal. As the law stands, it's only legal to use the scooters on private land, or in certain areas where trial rental schemes are running.
But as the police made chase, their car was involved in a collision with a pedestrian and a lamppost. The pedestrian had to be rushed to hospital. Police said that they had injuries "that are not believed to be life-threatening".
Meanwhile, the rider was seized and taken into police custody on suspicion of robbery. Police said they'd also notified the Directorate of Professional Standards about the incident.
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The Met's full statement reads: "At about 14:40hrs on Monday, 29 January, officers on patrol in Westminster attempted to stop a person on an E-scooter on Bayswater Road, W2. A short time later, the police car was in collision with a pedestrian and lamppost. The pedestrian has been taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The rider was arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody. Road closures are in place. The Directorate of Professional Standards has been notified."