A 22-year-old police officer was shot in both legs early on Monday by a gang of dangerous criminals.

The PC, who is based at Bromley police station, was shot shortly after midnight in Madeira Avenue, Shortlands.

Officers had been called to the quiet suburban road because four men in a car were acting suspiciously. As the officers approached the car, the men ran off towards the junction of Highland Road.

One of them had a firearm and fired several shots at the officers. The injured PC was taken to hospital where he is in a stable condition.

Ch Supt Charles Griggs, Bromley’s borough commander, said: “These men had no regard whatsoever for human life. The shots that were fired could have easily killed the injured PC and his colleagues. It is important that they are caught as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who may have been in the area in the late hours of yesterday evening or the early hours of this morning to please contact the incident room if they think they saw or heard anything suspicious.

“If anyone believes they see any of these men, please do not approach them, dial 999 immediately.”

One or more of the suspects, described as four black men dressed in dark clothing, may then have escaped through the alleyway of the nearby synagogue and into back gardens, in Farnaby Road.

The car they had been sitting in was a silver Honda CRV with the number plate WBZ 8880.

* Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8247 4553 or Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.