Police hurt in 'vicious' attack by pupils in New Cross

One police officer was taken to hospital after being repeatedly kicked in the head

A police officer was punched and repeatedly kicked in the head by a group of up to 30 schoolchildren in a "vicious attack", the Met has said.

His colleague was also punched in the jaw in the assault in New Cross, south-east London, as she tried to protect him.

The pair had approached the group after noticing one of the youths was trying to conceal a large knife.

A boy, 15, was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm

The Met has just released details of the attack on 9 November and believes witnesses may have filmed the incident.

Det Sgt Jenny White said it "happened at a very busy time of the day" when there "would've been a large number of people in the area".

"I'm appealing to anyone who witnessed this shocking attack to come forward and speak with us, particularly anyone with mobile phone footage," she said.

The male officer suffered serious bruising in the attack in Goodwood Street at 16:00 GMT.

The arrested teenager is on bail until mid-December.

The uniformed officers were attacked while on patrol near New Cross Gate station