Two people — a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy — have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a 24-year-old e-bike rider in North Kensington.
The arrests were made on Monday, September 28, in connection with the fatal collision on North Pole Road in the early hours of Friday, September 25. Both suspects remain in police custody as detectives from the Metropolitan Police continue their investigation.
Kariem Abdelhalim, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called to North Pole Road at around 1.20am. He had been riding an e-bike and is believed to have been pursued by a moped in the moments leading up to the crash.
North Pole Road was sealed off in both directions while forensic officers examined the scene, and it remained closed through Friday morning as the investigation got under way.
Detectives “working at pace” to build picture of the night
The Met said officers are following multiple lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said detectives had been working at pace since Mr Abdelhalim’s death.
“I encourage anyone who has information in relation to Kariem’s death to contact us,” he said. “Any information could be vital in our investigation and help provide much-needed answers for Kariem’s family.”
Mr Abdelhalim’s family is being supported by specialist officers. The Met confirmed the arrests in an official statement issued at 11:19am on Tuesday, September 29 — you can read the Metropolitan Police statement in full here.
Neither of those arrested has been charged with any offence, and both remain entitled to the presumption of innocence. Police have urged the public not to speculate about the identities of the suspects — particularly as one is 17 and legally still a child.
Timeline: the North Pole Road investigation so far
- Around 1.20am, Friday September 25 — Officers are called to North Pole Road after reports of a seriously injured man. Mr Abdelhalim, who had been riding an e-bike, is pronounced dead at the scene.
- Friday morning — North Pole Road is closed in both directions as forensic teams work at the scene of the crash that killed the 24-year-old rider.
- Weekend of September 26–27 — Detectives appeal for witnesses, dashcam and doorbell footage as reports emerge that the e-bike rider was pursued by a moped before the collision.
- Monday September 28 — A 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy are arrested on suspicion of murder. Both remain in custody.
- Tuesday September 29, 11:19am — The Met publicly confirms the arrests and renews its appeal for information.
The death was one of several fatal incidents across a grim weekend in the capital.
What happens next in a murder investigation
Because the arrests are on suspicion of murder — the most serious offence in English law — detectives now face a tight custody clock. Suspects can generally be held for up to 24 hours without charge, with extensions of up to 36 or 96 hours possible in serious cases with the approval of a senior officer or magistrates.
The Crown Prosecution Service will ultimately decide whether anyone is charged, based on the evidence detectives gather. That evidence is likely to include CCTV and doorbell-camera footage from North Pole Road and the surrounding streets, mobile phone data and forensic examination of the vehicles involved, as investigators reconstruct the movements of the e-bike and the moped in the minutes before the crash.
Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting reference 414/25SEP, or to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
E-bike riders among London’s most vulnerable road users
The tragedy has thrown a spotlight on the safety of e-bike riders in the capital. E-bikes have become a fixture on London’s streets — used by commuters and delivery riders alike — but those on two wheels remain among the most vulnerable road users, sharing the road with cars, buses and lorries.
Late-night riding carries particular risks: quieter residential streets, reduced visibility and faster-moving traffic in the small hours. Road safety campaigners have long argued for better protected routes for riders, including the delivery couriers who keep the city moving through the night.
The Met continues to appeal for anyone who saw the collision, or the events leading up to it, to come forward. London Streets will update this story as the investigation develops.
