A police officer sustained severe facial injuries while attempting to detain a suspect in Bristol.

The Avon and Somerset officer will undergo surgery and has not yet been well enough to explain exactly what happened to him.

The force said officers spotted a suspicious vehicle outside a building supplies company in Staple Hill at about 7pm on Tuesday. It drove off but was seen again a short time later.

Officers approached the vehicle and three occupants got out and ran off in different directions. The officer was injured while detaining a suspect and was taken to hospital where he is in a stable condition.

The force said the officer was injured “in the line of duty”. It is not clear whether the officer was attacked or sustained injuries by falling.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug, and a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

The force said a quantity of class A drugs and items including cash and mobile phones had been recovered from the scene and the car had been seized for forensic examination. A cordon was put in place at the scene to allow further searches to take place.

The incident came five days after the killing of PC Andrew Harper, who was dragged under a vehicle as he investigated a reported burglary in Berkshire. Jed Foster, 20, was charged with murder and has denied any involvement.

Harper’s death has focused attention on the dangers police officers face daily, and wellwishers have brought gifts and tributes to stations across the UK.