THE teens who allegedly mowed down revellers in a horror hit-and-run in London last night were fleeing the scene of a robbery, it is claimed.

Three people were left injured after a car ploughed into people outside a pub in Islington, North London, at 50mph after mounting pavement.

12 A Peugeot Partner smashed into pedestrians outside a pub in Islington, injuring two men and a woman

12 Police at the scene in Essex Road, where four men - aged between 17 and 19 - were arrested

The Metropolitan Police have revealed that cops were called to the scene of a mugging in nearby Cross Street, five minutes before the violent smash.

After the teens fled the scene of the horror crash on foot, they were pursued by officers who made four arrests. They were not being chased by police when the accident happened.

A fifth suspect, who is thought to have been in the car, was later arrested by police and is still in custody.

Dozens of cops and paramedics were called after the disturbing crash, in which people were "mowed down like dominoes", by a Peugeot Partner just before 11pm.

MOST READ IN NEWS SHORT SHARP LOCK Pubs & restaurants could shut completely within days in two-week lockdown Exclusive HERO SWEDE How ice cool scientist saved Sweden from Covid WITHOUT lockdown HOLIDAY TRAGEDY Mum, 33, found dead on holiday from alcohol poisoning after 'drink session' Latest ON THE BRINK England faces lockdown in days as cases double and Nightingale ward on standby WATCH OUT 18 new places on coronavirus watch list revealed – with 2 areas added this week Exclusive VILE VIDS 'Pedo filmed himself raping baby while changing diaper’ as pal says she told mom

Cops said two men and a woman were rushed to hospital, adding that their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Four teen suspects were arrested on suspicion of a variety offences including GBH with intent and possession of points and blades and remain in custody, police said.

Officers say they recovered two knives from the scene - one inside the car and one nearby.

12 This was the smashed up people carrier after the crash in North London which left three people hurt Credit: Jamie Lorriman

12 Images on Twitter showed a number of people lying on the pavement Credit: TWITTER

Witnesses claimed a motorist in a people carrier mounted the pavement and hit a number of pedestrians queuing outside the Old Queen's Head pub on Essex Road.

With tensions extremely high after the London terror attacks in which Khalid Masood mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said that the incident was not being treated as terrorism.

Superintendent Peter Gardner, from the Central North Area BCU, said: "This is a complicated incident involving a number of suspects.

"We are continuing to question those we have detained and are appealing for information and witnesses to piece together the events of the evening.

12 Clothing and first aid equipment can be seen strewn across the road after the horror crash

12 The Peugeot Partner can be seen abandoned in the middle of the street with a crumpled piece of clothing in front of the bumper

"We know that a group of people were outside the busy pub in a popular part of London at the time of the collision.

"If you were there or saw anything in and around the area at the time, however insignificant you may feel it is, I would urge you to contact investigators.

"I would like to praise the actions of our officers who dealt with a traumatic incident and displayed remarkable courage and professionalism.

"I would also reassure our community that due to this serious collision happening in the vicinity or our officers, it is only right that the Met's professional standards officers look at the circumstances.

"Lastly, I would like to absolutely reassure residents that this incident was in no way terrorist related."

12 The smashed windscreen of the people carrier after it ploughed into revellers on a busy Saturday night

12 A cordon was set up around the scene in Islington, North London, after the crash last night Credit: TWITTER

12 Witnesses described how the vehicle reported mounted the pavement in busy Essex Road and hit a number of people Credit: Jamie Lorriman

12 Police were called at around 10.55pm to reports of a collision involving a number of pedestrians in Essex Road Credit: @BeeQandUnique/twitter

An eye-witness told Mail Online that people were "knocked over like dominoes" by the vehicle.

She said: "The car came screeching round the corner at about 50mph and was coming straight for me.

"The sight of the car was terrifying. I'm still in complete shock."

Dramatic images show the people carrier vehicle with a smashed up windscreen in the middle of the street.

Essex road in Islington just after pic.twitter.com/mHbKBNgCkG — Jamés (@J___A___H) March 25, 2017

12 Two men and a woman were rushed to hospital following the incident Credit: TWITTER

12 Police cars parked at the side of Essex Road as investigations got underway

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Three people - two males and one female - were taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries.

"At this stage their injuries are not being treated as life threatening.

"The occupants decamped from the car and fled the scene on foot."

They added: "Enquiries into the circumstances continue, this is not being treated as terrorist related."

Disturbing images on Twitter showed a number of people lying on the pavement after the collision.

One woman posted a picture of a knife at the scene, adding: "It's all kicking off on Essex road, Islington... a handful of casualties and a very large knife."

An ambulance spokesman said: "We sent a number of resources to the scene including three ambulance crews, an incident response officer and a paramedic in a car.

"We treated three patients at the scene and took them as priority to hospital."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368