Waitrose lorry driver 'crashes into moped thieves' during London police chase
Suspects in pursuit had already injured officer by knocking him off motorcycle
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A supermarket delivery driver reportedly swerved across a road to block off two suspected moped thieves trying to outrun police.
Officers were chasing a pair of men through Catford, south London, on Wednesday evening when eyewitnesses said the Waitrose lorry driver became involved in the pursuit.
The articulated truck reportedly crossed over onto the wrong side of the carriageway on Brownhill Road to block off the suspects, who crashed into the vehicle before fleeing on foot.
Police gave chase and later arrested a 15-year-old boy, who was questioned and later released pending investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said earlier in the chase the moped rider had driven directly at officers on motorcycles, knocking one off of his bike and injuring him.
It added the injured officer was treated by paramedics at the scene and had since been signed off duty to recover at home.
However, some witnesses took issue with the way in which the lorry driver reportedly intervened in the chase.
A Twitter user who shared footage of the aftermath of the incident online, claimed the driver had demonstrated a “disregard for human life”.
“There was an incident before the crash with a police officer and he was injured. However, the sentence for violent theft in Britain is not death,” they added. “The Waitrose driver acted in a way that could have resulted in these young men’s deaths.”
The Met said the lorry was inspected by officers and the driver, who had cooperated fully with the investigation, had not been reported for any offences.
The moped, which has been reported stolen from an address earlier that day, was recovered during the chase.
Police investigations to trace the pillion passenger continue.
Waitrose has declined to comment on the incident.