Key Points
- A woman in her 20s has been arrested after a police pursuit of a suspected stolen car ended in a three-vehicle collision in Redbridge, east London.
- Nine people were injured in the crash, and five of them remain in hospital with serious injuries.
- The collision happened at around 12.30am on Saturday 16 May at the junction of Barley Lane and High Road in Ilford.
- The Met Police said officers tried to stop the vehicle because they believed it was stolen, but it failed to stop and a short pursuit followed.
- The injured included the driver and four passengers of the suspected stolen car, the driver and two passengers of the second car, and a moped rider.
- Police said six people were taken to hospital for further assessment, while ten were treated at the scene in total.
- The driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft and failing to stop, while four passengers were also arrested on suspicion of being in a stolen vehicle.
Redbridge (East London Times) May 20, 2026 – A woman in her 20s was arrested after a police chase involving a suspected stolen car ended in a major collision at the junction of Barley Lane and High Road in Ilford, leaving nine people injured and causing serious disruption in the area.
As reported by the Metropolitan Police in a statement quoted by Sky News, officers were on patrol at around 00:30hrs on Saturday 16 May when they attempted to stop a vehicle after having reason to believe it was stolen. The force said the car failed to stop and a short pursuit followed before the vehicle was involved in a collision with another car at the Redbridge junction.
What were the immediate consequences?
The Met confirmed that nine people were injured in the incident, with five people aged between 14 and 46 remaining in hospital with serious injuries.
The force also said six people were taken to hospital for further assessment after emergency services attended the scene.
According to the reports, the injured included the driver of the suspected stolen vehicle, four passengers from that car, the driver and two passengers from the second car, and a moped rider who was also caught up in the crash.
A separate report said ten people were treated at the roadside in total, while one person declined further medical help.
Who has been arrested?
Police said the driver of the suspected stolen vehicle, a woman in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, theft and failing to stop. The Met said she remains in hospital.
The four other passengers in the car, described as a woman in her 40s, a teenage girl and two men in their 20s, were also arrested on suspicion of being in a stolen vehicle.
The reports said all four remained in hospital, and that they had since been bailed.
What emergency response was sent?
The London Ambulance Service said it was called at 12.30am to reports of a crash at the junction of Barley Lane and High Road in Ilford.
It said multiple resources were sent to the scene, including ambulance crews, an incident response officer, a joint response unit and London’s Air Ambulance.
A report published after the incident said the Met was supported by the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, while officers also dealt with the aftermath of the crash and the police investigation. The junction remained closed in all directions while inquiries continued, according to Sky News.
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What is police saying now?
The Metropolitan Police said it is investigating the circumstances of the pursuit and the subsequent collision. The force is expected to examine CCTV, dashcam footage and witness accounts as part of its inquiries.
The incident has also been referred to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, which is standard procedure after a police pursuit ends in a collision, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed. Police have asked anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.
What did the road closure cause?
The collision caused major disruption in Goodmayes and surrounding parts of Redbridge, with the public urged to avoid the area while a cordon was in place between Goodmayes Road and Eccleston Crescent. High Road was closed in both directions during the morning while officers investigated and emergency crews worked at the scene.
Bus routes 86 and N86 were also affected, with diversions reported via Green Lanes, Whalebone Lane South and London Road. The scale of the response showed how a single crash in a busy junction can quickly affect road traffic, public transport and access for nearby residents.
Background of the development
Police pursuits involving suspected stolen vehicles are handled as urgent incidents because officers have to balance the need to stop the vehicle with public safety. In this case, the pursuit ended at a busy junction in Ilford, where the collision involved multiple vehicles and a moped, making the incident more complex than a standard road crash.
The reports show that both the police and ambulance services treated the scene as a major emergency, with air ambulance support and hospital admissions for multiple people. The case is now likely to be examined through both the criminal investigation and the police conduct review process.
Prediction
For local residents and road users in Redbridge, the immediate effect is likely to be continued caution around the junction and possible follow-up traffic measures while investigations continue. For the injured people and their families, the main impact will be the medical recovery process, especially for those with serious injuries still in hospital.
For drivers, taxi workers and people using night-time routes in Ilford, the case may reinforce awareness of how quickly police pursuits can escalate into major collisions in built-up areas. For the wider public, the outcome of the investigation may shape future discussion about pursuit tactics, road safety and the handling of suspected stolen vehicles.
