Three held after policeman on motorbike dies in hit-and-run

A policeman was knocked off his motorcycle and killed in a hit-and-run crash on his way home from work.

The off-duty traffic officer was hit by a silver Volkswagen saloon car, ending up under the vehicle in front of shocked onlookers. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 37-year-old was killed in Teignmouth Gardens off the A40 Western Avenue in Perivale, west London, at 9.30 last night.

The Volkswagen smashed into his motorcycle before mounting the kerb and coming to a halt. The driver fled the scene on foot, leaving two passengers in the car.

Shortly afterwards police arrested three men at a house in Barnet and were questioning them today on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Police cordoned off both ends of the street and erected a blue tent over the spot where the officer died.

At the scene, Detective Inspector Craig Leonard said: "There have been a number of arrests and they are being dealt with as we speak. They were not arrested at the scene but afterwards." Police know the identity of the motorcycle officer, who worked at the Alperton traffic garage, but are waiting until all his family have been informed before naming him.

Forensic science teams were working at the scene, under a footbridge at the junction with Horsenden Lane South, near Perivale Tube station and an industrial estate.

Officers were interviewing the two passengers in the car, who were being treated as "significant witnesses", and also spoke to the driver of a 297 double-deck bus who stopped yards from the crash.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call 03001231212.

Another motorcyclist was killed on the A40 yesterday at 4.20pm in Marylebone. The man, in his forties, was pronounced dead at the scene.