AN investigation is under way into claims of a police cover-up after an off-duty officer crashed his car into three vehicles parked in a quiet back street.

Police chiefs are looking into allegations the accident, which happened on Sunday, was not investigated thoroughly and that residents were treated dismissively when they complained.

The smash occurred just after 1pm in Grosvenor Road, Watford, which is part of a 20mph zone.

The policeman, in his 20's, escaped with cuts and bruises after his Rover 420 clipped a parked car before rolling over and landing on its roof.

After it flipped, the car hit another car and a van.

A police spokesman said the driver, an officer who lives in Watford and works with the Metropolitan Police, was on his way to work when the crash happened.

He was breathalysed at the scene and the test was negative. He has not been charged with any driving offences.

Mr Vijay Chauhan, whose Audi was damaged, has made a formal complaint about the way officers on the scene handled the investigation, backed by other Grosvenor Road residents.

He said: "It was lucky no one was hurt.

"We often have kids playing on the road but fortunately no one was out there. This was a cover-up."

Mr Chauhan's complaint alleged officers were rude to residents when they exp- ressed their concern.

June 13, 2002 15:30