Two ‘masked men’ have been arrested following a collision with a lorry during their attempted escape after allegedly stealing tools from a van in South London.
The incident occurred on Kempshott Road, Lambeth at 10:19 am on Thursday, June 5, 2025, and the road remained closed for several hours.
Local reports indicate that an earlier theft occurred on Tankerville Road involving four masked men driving a dark grey Audi. Two men left the scene before the police arrived.
The police reported that both men were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle and were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the men was also arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Images from the scene show debris scattered across the road at the junction with Tankerville and Kempshott, where a grey Ford van also appears to be significantly damaged.
Damage is apparent on the driver’s side of the Audi, and the airbags have deployed. It is not known if the lorry sustained any damage.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 10:19hrs on Thursday, 5 June to reports of a road traffic collision in Kempshott Road, SW16.
“Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found a car in collision with a lorry.
“At this early stage in the investigation, it is believed that some tools were stolen from a nearby van prior to the collision.
“Two men, who were in the car, were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. One of the men was also arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
“They have been taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Enquiries continue.
“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 2341/05JUN.
“Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.21am yesterday (5 June) to reports of a road traffic collision in Kempshott Road, SW16.
“We sent two ambulance crews and an incident response officer to the scene.
“We treated two patients at the scene and took one to a major trauma centre and one to a local hospital.”
