Police have arrested a man on suspicion of murder after a 51-year-old Erith man died from his injuries after being run over in an apparent botched car theft.

Officers were called at around 3am on December 29, 2019, to reports of an injured man in Peareswood Road.

The man, now identified as Marc Allen, was rushed to Kings College Hospital with head injuries and remained in a coma until January 29, when he died from his wounds.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Detectives believe that on the night of the incident, Mr Allen came out of his property to remonstrate with a man who was attempting to steal his car from his driveway.

"The suspect was inside the vehicle and it is understood that he deliberately drove towards the victim, hitting him and forcing him over the top of the car.

"The suspect then left the scene in the car, leaving Mr Allen lying in the driveway with head injuries.

"On December 31, 2019, the car – a grey Mercedes GLA – was recovered from the E14 area.

"Officers believe that immediately after the incident, it was left in the vicinity of Bronze Age Way in Erith for a number of hours."

Mr Allen's next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place soon.

A 27-year-old man was arrested in the E14 area on Friday (February 7) on suspicion of murder and burglary and remains in custody.

Detective Inspector Jason Fitzpatrick, Specialist Crime South, added: “This was a brutal and callous attack on an innocent man on his own doorstep. For simply defending his property, Mr Allen has paid the ultimate price, with his life; and my thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to try and establish how the suspect gained access to the keys for the vehicle and at this time I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or subsequently saw the car being driven in the area to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Specialist Crime South on 020 8721 4622. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111/ visiting crimestoppers-uk.org