A police officer has been taken to hospital after being injured during a police chase of a stolen vehicle.

An automatic number plate recognition device detected a vehicle that was marked as stolen at around 8.35pm last night.

The vehicle was then tracked by CCTV before police were called to the scene.

When approached by police, the suspects reportedly made off at speed.

The suspects then allegedly performed alarming manoeuvres including mounting the pavements, speeding and driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway in Richmond.

Police deliberately hit the vehicle with their vehicle to bring it to a stop close to Hook Roundabout, Chessington.

An officer was injured as a result of the pursuit and contact with the suspect’s vehicle.

He was taken to hospital with an injury to his neck.

The suspect’s vehicle was able to continue driving after being hit by officers and three men later stopped and left the vehicle on Largewood Avenue.

They were soon located and arrested.

One man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, failing to stop, and driving without a license or insurance.

A second suspect was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, dangerous driving, grievous bodily harm with intent, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and going equipped with items allegedly intended for criminality.

Another was arrested on suspicion of allowing to be carried in a stolen motor vehicle.

Kingston Police wrote in a statement on Facebook: “Police were called to an ANPR activation in Kingston last night on the 9th June at around 20:35.

“A vehicle which was marked as stolen was detected.

“The vehicle was tracked by CCTV, and when local officers approached in their own vehicle the suspect vehicle made off at speed.

“Roads and Transport officers were deployed to pursue.

“The suspect vehicle made several dangerous manoeuvres including speeding, mounting pavements and driving the wrong way along a duel carriageway.

“Tactical contact was made with the vehicle to bring it to a stop by the entrance near to Hook Roundabout, Chessington.

“As a result of the pursuit and contact with suspect vehicle one officer was taken to hospital with an injury to his neck.

“Unfortunately the vehicle was able to continue, and three males decamped from the vehicle on Largewood Avenue.

“All three were located shortly after and all three males were arrested.

“One male was arrested for Allowing to be carried in stolen Motor vehicle, a second male for Driving while under the influence of drugs, Failing to stop, driving without a Licence, and driving without Insurance.

“The third male was arrested for theft of motor vehicle, failing to stop, dangerous driving, Grievous Bodily harm with Intent, driving without a Licence, driving without Insurance and going Equipped.

“All three currently remain in custody.”