Four men have been charged with three attempted murders and weapons offences after police were involved in a dramatic gun battle on the streets of east London.

Shots were fired at a Metropolitan Police armed response unit from a BMW in Leytonstone on Thursday night before officers returned fire.

A mile-long chase through the area ended at Bective Road in Forest Gate. No-one was hurt in the exchange and one firearm was recovered from the vehicle.

Photos from the scene show a car with its back windscreen shattered from bullets as three people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a police chase on Thursday

Armed police were involved in a dramatic shoot-out with three 'masked men' after a late night car chase through Lascelles Close in Leytonstone, east London on Thursday night

Nathaniel Lewis, 22, Darnell Joseph-Newill, 21, and Troy Ifill, 21, from east London, and Lekan Akinsoji, 20, of no fixed address, have each been charged with three counts of attempted murder, possession of a shotgun, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of an axe and a "zombie knife".

Akinsoji and Lewis have also been charged with possession of a firearm following a suspended sentence, Scotland Yard said.

They are all in custody and are due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court in east London on Monday.

Police and forensic officers on the scene at Bective Road, Forest Gate, on Friday

Photos from the scene show a BMW with its back windscreen shattered from bullets as three people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The pursuit occurred after police attended the scene and, a short time later a nearby vehicle failed to stop for the officers.

Armed police then gave chase to the car and 'a number of shots were fired towards officers' during the pursuit, the Scotland Yard said.

Police also fired weapons during the pursuit but there are no reports of injuries.

Fifteen police cars and a helicopter attended the scene, reported the Sun.

A local resident claims that he was told the men were masked during the incident.

A chase followed through the area and ended at Bective Road in Forest Gate, as officers dodged shots being fired from the suspects' car and returned fire

Three people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after shots were fired towards police during a dangerous pursuit

Police and forensic officers on the scene at Bective Road, Forest Gate, on Friday

Others took to social media to describe the chaos, as one said: 'Rapid gunshots forest gate, old bill already here so suspect they are the ones who fired.'

Another wrote: 'Something massive kicking off in Forest Gate.

'Gun shots heard and seen around 10-15 police cars rushing to the scene.'

A woman added: 'Helicopters been whirring in the area and now I’m hearing there’s been an exchange of gunshots between police and masked men a few roads down.

'Honestly I know Forest Gate isn’t the safest place but it was never this bad.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the arrested people had been taken to an east London police station and remained in custody.

'The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed as is routine,' he added.

A mile-long chase followed through the area and ended at Bective Road in Forest Gate, as officers dodged shots being fired from the suspects' car and returned fire