The father-of-two run over by thieves as he tried to stop them from breaking into his van was dragged underneath their car for 50 yards.

Police believe the murder of Balbir Matharu, 54, in Stratford on Thursday was "intentional".

"This wasn't an accident," said Detective Chief Inspector John MacDonald, who leads the inquiry. "The driver of the car must have known exactly what had happened and that the victim was under his car."

At noon on Thursday Mr Matharu spotted the thieves burgling his white Mercedes van shortly after he parked it in a small car park in Francis Street.

He ran across the street from the back yard of the builders' merchant where he worked as a driver.

Two suspects in an old style green Ford Mondeo were driving towards the narrow exit of the car park. Mr Matharu tried to block them, but the car knocked him over.

He was dragged for about 50 yards before the vehicle disappeared down Maryland Street.

"As you can imagine Mr Matharu's family are incredibly distressed," Mr MacDonald said.

The married father of a grown son and daughter died late Thursday afternoon at Newham General Hospital.

The window of his van had been smashed and the stereo and personal belongings disturbed.

Police appealed to anyone who knew of a green or dark-coloured Ford Mondeo being used for thefts. Its registration plate starts with L, M, N or P.

"We believe the suspects must have stolen from vehicles before," Mr MacDonald explained.

He urged people with information on the identity of the robbers to call police on 020 8345 3985.