WAYMO TEST VEHICLE CRASHES INTO POLICE CORDON DURING LONDON STABBING INVESTIGATION

A Waymo "driverless" taxi caused a stir in Harlesden, west London, after it careered into a police crime scene while officers were investigating a double stabbing.

Video footage captured the car driving through "Do Not Cross" tape, seemingly ignoring the sirens and flashing lights of emergency vehicles before braking sharply.

The incident occurred as police were cordoning off the High Street following an attack on two men in their 20s. Despite the car’s design for full autonomy, Waymo confirmed that the vehicle was actually being manually driven by a human at the time.

A spokesperson for the company stated that the driver involved has since been suspended.

In an apology, the firm said: “We sincerely apologise for any disruption caused by this validation driver, who was operating the vehicle in manual mode. We take this matter seriously and are working with our operations partner to ensure appropriate actions are taken.”

Waymo added that "initial analysis suggests" the car’s automated systems would have likely identified the danger and stopped itself if the software had been in control.

The crash has raised questions as Waymo prepares for a potential London launch this September. The company currently has around 24 vehicles mapping the city’s streets with safety drivers behind the wheel to ensure the systems are effective.

This is not the first time Waymo vehicles have interfered with police work; similar incidents involving crime scenes were previously reported in the US cities of Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Detectives are still investigating the stabbings, which saw both victims rushed to the hospital via air ambulance.

Waymo continues to work toward regulatory approval to make London the first location for its robotaxis outside of the United States.

Read another story

LEEDS CABBIES TO RALLY AGAINST TOTAL DISASTER OF CROSS-BORDER WORKING

Leeds licensed drivers and business owners are set to stage a major rally this Sunday, 26 April 2026, to protest "cross-border working" rules they claim are destroying local livelihoods and putting passengers in danger.

LYFT AGREES TO ACQUIRE GETTS UK BUSINESS WITH THE CLOSE EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS

With the addition of Gett, Lyft is positioned as the leading app for London black cabs and will offer a comprehensive suite of ground transport options.

MESSAGE TO THE TRADE FROM BRISTOL SOUTH GLOS TAXI COP PC PATRICK QUINTON

“Hello drivers, today I was working with police colleagues, South Glos Licensing and DVSA.

OVER 150 VIOLENT OFFENDERS GRANTED LICENCES FROM THE UK'S "TAXI CAPITAL"

Information obtained by the Guardian shows that Wolverhampton approved 438 licences for drivers with criminal records, including 61 drug offences, 36 drink-driving offences, and four sexual offences.

OLDHAM MAN JAILED FOR NINE YEARS FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEENAGER WHO MISTOOK HIM FOR CABBIE

Tayumur Raja, 29, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl who had mistaken his car for a taxi.

POLICE HUNT PASSENGER AFTER UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON BOURNEMOUTH TAXI DRIVER

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they want to identify after a taxi driver was punched in the face during an afternoon shift in Bournemouth.

CAERPHILLY COUNCIL CONSIDERS SHAKE-UP TO TAXI FARES

The local council has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on two different proposals that would update the prices charged by licensed hackney carriages.

CABBIE JAILED FOR NINE YEARS AFTER USING VEHICLE AS "WEAPON" IN NEWCASTLE ROAD RAGE ATTACK

Hasan Mohammed's Skoda Superb came around a corner at speed, swerving dangerously, as a family was crossing the road after leaving a restaurant.

SOUTHEND TAXI DRIVERS LEFT REELING AFTER SPATE OF "SHOCKING ATTACKS" ON VEHICLES

Thieves are believed to have targeted the cars overnight to search for cash and valuables, hitting multiple firms and leaving self-employed drivers unable to work.

IPSWICH TAXI DRIVERS LOSE LICENCES OVER MISSING MEDICAL CHECKS

Ipswich Borough Council took the swift action after the drivers did not submit medical certificates proving they met the strict safety requirements set by the DVLA.

DUO JAILED AFTER TERRIFYING KNIFEPOINT ROBBERY OF GLOUCESTER TAXI DRIVER

Justin Francis, 39, and Tiffany Davis, 36, were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after targeting their victim when he pulled into Valley Gardens last September.

FAREHAM COUNCIL REJECTS TAXI LICENCES OVER CRIMINAL PAST AND DRIVING RECORDS

Fareham Borough Council has blocked two men from becoming taxi drivers after a vetting process uncovered hidden criminal convictions and a history of driving offences.

NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL BACKS PUSH FOR MORE FEMALE TAXI DRIVERS

Nottingham City Council has joined forces with the Think Pink initiative to help women break into the taxi industry, where they currently make up only 6% of drivers.

MANSFIELD SETS STRICT NEW STANDARDS FOR TAXI CCTV USE

The decision, reached during a licensing committee meeting on April 16, follows national guidance suggesting that cameras can be a vital tool for crime prevention.

READING PRIVATE HIRE OPERATORS FIGHT NEW RULES AS VEHICLE AGE LIMITS DROP

Reading Borough Council has introduced rules that lower the maximum age for licensed vehicles from 12 down to 10 years and encourage a shift toward electric cars.

MULTIPLE TAXIS PENALISED IN WARRINGTON TOWN CENTRE LICENSING CRACKDOWN

The operation involved special constables working alongside licensing officers from both Warrington Borough Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council.

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPROVES TAXI FEE HIKES AMID CLAIMS OF "PURE GREED"