Man Collapses After Assault Arrest in Penge – Officers Also Fall Ill
A man was rushed to hospital in serious condition after being arrested for allegedly assaulting police in Penge. The drama unfolded following reports of shoplifters on Penge High Street.
Chase Ends in Arrest – Suspect Claims to Have Taken Drugs
At around 6.30pm on Wednesday, August 21, officers pursued a man on foot amid shoplifting reports. He was detained on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and claimed to have ingested drugs. Paramedics were called, and he was taken to hospital.
Officers Feel Sick, Fear Chemical Exposure
During the journey to hospital, two officers travelling in the same police vehicle suddenly felt unwell. The vehicle was forced to stop in Hayes Lane, Beckenham. Concern mounted over possible chemical exposure, prompting an emergency response from the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service.
- Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), paramedics, and incident officers rushed to the scene.
- Three people were treated, including the two unwell officers who were taken to hospital as a precaution.
- The arrested man was taken to hospital separately by a third party and remains in serious condition.
Police and Ambulance Services Respond – Investigation Continues
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “At around 18:30hrs, police were called to reports of a group of shoplifters in Penge High Street. Officers pursued and arrested one man on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. During the journey, two officers felt unwell and stopped in Hayes Lane. Fire and ambulance crews attended over concerns of chemical exposure, but the incident has now been stood down. Both officers were taken to hospital as a precaution. The arrested man remains in serious condition.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called at 7:40 p.m. to an incident at Hayes Lane and Kenwood Drive. We dispatched several resources, including our Hazardous Area Response Team. Three people were treated on scene, with two taken to hospital. Investigations are ongoing.”
Police are continuing their enquiries as the suspected chemical exposure scare has been ruled out. The identity of the man and details of the alleged assault have not been released.
