A Chinese traffic warden violently attacked a pedestrian with a hammer because she crossed the road when the light was red.

The patrol officer, who has not been named, hit the pedestrian repeatedly over the head with an iron hammer, after the woman ignored her command to not cross the road at 6pm on Tuesday in eastern Shandong province.

People on the scene said the warden had been involved with a number of arguments with the woman in the past because she frequently ignored the traffic signals, reported the People's Daily Online.

Victim: The pedestrian was violently attacked after she ignored a red signal to cross the road. She was rushed to hospital for medical treatment

Fury: The traffic warden (left) repeatedly hit the woman over the head with an iron hammer

The warden, whose uniform indicated she was a volunteer, waited until the signal turned green before running over to the woman, who was at this point already half way across the road.

As she attacked the pedestrian, the warden reportedly shouted: 'I won't let you run the red light'.

The victim, who was left lying unconscious in the middle of the road, was rushed to hospital.

According to eyewitness reports, the patrol officer tried to explain to shocked onlookers that it had been the victim's fault for ignoring the red light.

She was arrested at the scene and remains under investigation.

Pedestrians caught ignoring traffic signals, which is illegal in China, can be fined 10 yuan (£1).