Van drives off as police officer strikes window with baton in Stonebridge

A van driver pulled away from Metropolitan Police officers who were trying to get into the vehicle in Stonebridge on Saturday 10 October. One officer was seen hitting the driver's window with a baton.

Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows the incident at about 12:10pm on a residential street just off Harrow Road. Uniformed officers stand at the driver's door of a white Luton box van parked by double yellow lines.

In the footage, one officer strikes the driver's window with a baton. The van then drives off. The officers run back to their patrol car and follow it with sirens sounding.

Reported pursuit towards Monks Park

The person who filmed the incident said the driver refused to cooperate with officers. They also said a chase followed, involving several police vehicles.

A second clip, reportedly filmed a few minutes later, shows a police car travelling at speed through Monks Park. This residential area lies a short distance north of Stonebridge, near the North Circular Road.

The van appears to be a hire vehicle carrying the branding of a van rental company. There is no suggestion that the hire company was involved in the incident.

What police have confirmed

The Metropolitan Police has not publicly confirmed why officers stopped the van, whether the driver was caught or arrested, or whether anyone was hurt. It is also not known whether the van was involved in any collision during the reported pursuit.

Stonebridge is in the London Borough of Brent and is policed by the Met's North West Basic Command Unit. Harrow Road (the A404) runs through the area and is one of the main routes between Harlesden and Wembley.

Anyone who saw the incident, or has information about where the van went, can contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.