A cyclist is fighting for his life in hospital after a collision with an unmarked police car in South London on Friday night.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident occurred at around 8.55pm on June 26 on Long Lane, Bermondsey, near the junction with Bermondsey Street. The unmarked black Volvo police vehicle was responding to an emergency call when it struck the cyclist, who was riding a Lime e-bike. Officers at the scene said the man, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.
Witness Accounts
Dozens of bystanders watched in shock as paramedics worked on the injured man at the roadside for roughly an hour. One woman described the aftermath as a “distressing sight.” “The cyclist was in a very bad way. It was really grim and distressing to actually see someone in that state,” she said. “The medics were here within two minutes though, just as well Guy’s Hospital is just around the corner. The paramedics were doing work on him for about an hour on the road, it was very chilling really, we all felt pretty helpless.”
Another witness claimed the cyclist appeared to “pull out in front” of the police car while making a right turn. “They [police] was on a call, there was a cyclist… bang, that’s it… It looked like he died,” he said. An elderly woman at the scene was reportedly hyperventilating and was taken into a neighbour’s garden to be cared for.
Police Statement and Independent Investigation
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “At around 20:55hrs on Friday, 26 June, an unmarked police car responding to an emergency call collided with a cyclist on Long Lane, Bermondsey. The man on the bike, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition. No arrests have been made and the road is now clear.”
As standard procedure, the force notified both its own Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). “The IOPC has begun an independent investigation and officers will continue to support them and their enquiries,” the spokesperson added.
IOPC Investigation: Role and Process
The IOPC is the independent body responsible for overseeing complaints against police forces in England and Wales. Incidents that result in death or serious injury following contact with the police are normally mandatory referrals to the watchdog. Once a referral is received, the IOPC assesses whether to conduct its own independent investigation or to supervise an inquiry carried out by the force’s Professional Standards Department. The findings are reported to the force, the person injured or their family, and, in cases where a death has occurred, the family of the deceased.
The watchdog has previously investigated a fatal collision involving an unmarked police car. In October 2024, a heavily pregnant woman and her unborn baby died after a crash with an unmarked police vehicle in Eltham, South East London, a case the IOPC reviewed.
Context on Unmarked Police Vehicles
Unmarked police vehicles without markings, liveries or visible blue lights – until activated – are a long-established tool for traffic enforcement, general patrols and covert operations. Common models include various Volvos, BMWs, Skodas and Audis. They typically carry two officers, one potentially in uniform and another in plain clothes. While legal and widely used, concerns have been raised about the safety of deploying unmarked cars for emergency response duties because of reduced visibility. Some forces restrict the use of unmarked vehicles for such call-outs, although the Metropolitan Police continues to use them in that role.
The Lime bike involved in the collision is part of London’s dockless e-bike hire scheme. Such bikes come with dual hand brakes, lights and reflectors, as well as GPS technology for speed enforcement and geofencing. Riders can park in designated bays or, in certain areas, at the pavement’s edge, with boroughs such as Westminster recently introducing real-time data sharing with the operator to manage parking issues.
