Police are appealing for information after footage showed two officers being attacked by a group of youngsters in south London.
The video appeared to show two police officers detaining a suspect - who was allegedly seen with a knife - on the bonnet of a car in Lewisham.
But a hostile crowd - some wearing school uniform - gathered around the officers continued to grow. Loud shouting can be heard in the video, including “get off him”.
The policeman detaining the suspect then appears to be dragged to the ground and kicked. He suffered serious bruising.
The policewoman was also punched in the face as she attempted to help her partner.
Another man can, thought to be a teacher, can be seen pulling some of the youngsters away.
Local schools are believed to be assisting the police with their investigation.
Detective Sergeant Jenny White, of Lewisham Police, said: "I'm appealing to anyone who witnessed this shocking attack on two officers to come forward and speak with us, particularly anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident.
"It happened at a very busy time of the day and there would've been a large number of people in the area.
"These officers go to work every day to keep the public safe and this demonstrates the dangers the police can face while carrying out these duties."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “'The officers approached the group during routine patrols of the area and noticed a large knife being concealed by a young male.
"After attempting to search the suspect, one of the officers was violently punched in the face several times by some of the other youths, causing him to fall to the ground.
"The second officer stepped in to help her colleague and in doing so was also punched in the jaw.
"The group continued to assault the officer on the floor by repeatedly kicking him in the head, leaving him with serious bruising and damaging his mobile phone."
Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
