Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer on bike patrol in South London was run over as he attempted to stop a vehicle.
The Metropolitan Police is appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened on Kennington Park Road, Lambeth, yesterday afternoon at approximately 2.45pm and involved a black Vauxhall Meriva.
According to a statement from police, “The vehicle appeared to deliberately run over the officer who had got off his bicycle. He was struck by the car and ended up on the bonnet before falling to the ground.
“The suspects drove off at speed in the direction of Peckham,” police said, adding that the vehicle was found at 3.35pm abandoned in Frederick Crescent, SW9.
The officer involved, a 39-year old male who is a member of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, was taken to hospital with arm and leg injuries and is now recovering at home.
Two men, one aged 22, the other 23, were later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Detective Sergeant Ranjit Sekhon of the Roads and Transport Policing Command said: "I would urge anyone who witnessed either the collision or the car speeding away to contact us.
“I would also like to speak with anyone who saw two men running from the car after it was parked in Frederick Crescent.
"It is extremely fortunate that the officer, who was attempting a routine traffic stop, was not more seriously injured.
"It is important that we speak with as many people as possible to piece together the moments leading up to the collision," he added.
Anyone who has information is asked to contact the witness appeal line on 020 8543 5157 or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Please note for legal reasons, comments are now closed on this story.
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41 comments
C'mon - the sun was in the drivers eyes and they were a little late for work, give the driver a break!
Well, to be fair here, I am wondering was he wearing a helmet and hi-vis? Had he jumped a light earlier? I think we'll find there's more to this story than meets the eye and in contrast to some of the extremists on this forum we should not rush to condemn the driver.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was not a simple case of not seeing the cyclist, who popped out of nowhere while the driver was eating rice krispies off the floor of the car.
Police officers carrying out their duty do have additional protection under the law (or rather, sentencing takes it into account). Equally, if it is suspected that a driver deliberately intended to kill someone with their vehicle they could be charged with the same offence. Does happen, although rarely.
What is so special about police officers that any attempt to injure them with a vehicle is treated as attempted murder, whereas you can kill a civilian and you'll be punished for a driving offence?
Because they wear helmets
That was the first thought that went through my head when I read this article
The first thing that goes through many cyclists head's in these situations is part of an automobile wrapped in the petulant, self-entitled excuse of a whinging moton.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2013/aug/08/nottingham-...
fixed, even a case of deliberate driving into the back of a cyclist, is not sufficient for a charge, and in fact was the victims fault according to the police.
A policeman is the closest thing we've got to the physical embodiment of the rule of law. A crime against a police officer can therefore be viewed as analogous to a crime against the entire legal system.
I find your ideas compelling and wish to subscribe to your periodical. Meanwhile.. what about the baptising of an unborn foetus using a syringe of holy water? Will the soul of the infant ascend to heaven if it dies immediately after birth?
Whatever are you babbling about?
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