Two men were arrested yesterday (Friday, December 11) for reportedly attacking a police officer after they crashed their van into several other cars in Croydon.

The Met Police said the officer who was assaulted was patrolling on a motorbike around Whitehorse Lane in Croydon when he saw a white van drive at speed through a red light.

"An incident happened shortly before 18.00hrs on Thursday, 10 December, when an officer from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command was patrolling on a motorcycle - he saw a white Renault van pass at speed through a red traffic light.

"The officer began following the van, which then collided with several cars in Whitehorse Lane, before it came to a stop after crashing into three cars in nearby Tennison Road," a spokesperson for the Met said.

On arriving at the scene of the crash, the two men in the white van proceeded to attack the officer after he tried to arrest the driver.

"The officer attempted to arrest the driver of the van at the scene, but he was punched in the face several times and also kicked and punched by the passenger of the vehicle.

"The two suspects then ran off," the Met spokesperson added.

Paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) who attended the scene treated him for a number of facial injuries and he was taken to the hospital for additional treatment.

A day after the incident, police said they had arrested two men in connection to the violent incident but continued to appeal to the public for more information.

Police said they were charged with dangerous driving, assault on an emergency worker, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, driving without a licence and possession of class B drugs.

If you can help, call 101 and quote CAD 5943/10Dec.