Police officer suffers broken leg after being hit by e-scooter in north west London

A police officer suffered a broken leg after being hit by an e-scooter in north west London.

The incident happened at around 1pm on Saturday during an operation in Willesden to prevent the illegal use of e-scooters.

A Metropolitan Police officer flagged down a man riding a scooter - but he failed to stop and collided with the PC.

The officer was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered a broken leg.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, assault on an emergency worker, obstructing a drugs search, failure to stop, dangerous driving, driving without a license or insurance, breaching the terms of a prison sentence and being unlawfully at large.

Privately owned electric scooters are illegal to use in public - either on the road or pavement - although there are trial schemes allowing people to hire the machines.

Inspector Martin Robbie, of North West Basic Command Unit, said: "Officers put themselves in the face of danger on a daily basis and an incident like this demonstrates this.

"I would like to remind the public that the use of e-scooters, unless subject to a government approved scheme, is prohibited and use upon public highways and spaces will be subject to enforcement and potential seizure of the e-scooter."

Willesden is not one of the areas in London where e-scooter rental is being trialled.

According to Transport for London, the following boroughs are the only ones where the gadgets can be rented: Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Tower Hamlets, the City of London, Southwark (north of the borough only) and Lambeth (north of the borough only).

Before renting, riders must register and verify their details, including age and at least a provisional driving licence, and complete in-app training.