Five police officers were injured as “rioting” broke out when police shut down an illegal rave in south-east London.

Gangs of revellers wreaked havoc as police officers were targeted while trying to shut down the illegal music event inside a disused bank in Deptford on Friday night.

Police said officers were punched in the head, spat at and burnt with cigarettes when a large crowd rushed forward and attacked them in Deptford High Street.

Scotland Yard said police were called to reports of revellers trying to enter the disused bank at about 10.30pm to set up the illegal rave.

The event was shut down but “rioting” broke out around three hours later when a mob of people hoping to get into the rave attacked police at the scene.

Two men and a woman were arrested as police fought to bring the mob under control.

Police officers from the Lewisham borough posted about their ordeal on Twitter just hours after they were attacked.

“Yet again, @MPSLewisham officers have been attacked for doing their jobs. At least five officers have been assaulted tonight in Deptford,” officers said.

“Officers were attempting to prevent an illegal rave in Deptford High Street when a large crowd rushed and assaulted officers.

“No-one was badly injured. The assaults range from being punched in the head, spat at in the face and cigarettes in the face.”

They later added: “No-one should expect to come home from work having been spat at, punched or abused.”

Images emerged on social media of a swarm of emergency services vehicles at the scene in the early hours of the morning.

Maxwell Valentino shared a picture of police vehicles lining the street shortly before 2am.

Rowan Fox tweeted: “There appear to be riot police and dogs on Deptford High Street. Anyone know what’s going on?”

The three people who were arrested in connection with the incident remained in custody at a south London police station, police said on Saturday morning.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 10.30pm on Friday, January 20, to Deptford High Street to reports of a number of people entering a disused bank.

“Officers attended the location and established that an unlicensed music event was due to take place. Steps were taken to prevent this from going ahead.

“At around 1.30am on Saturday, January 21, there was an outbreak of disorder, and a number of people became violent towards police.

“Five officers sustained injuries, none of whom required hospital treatment.

“Two males and a female were arrested in connection with the incident. They have been taken to a south London police station where they remain in custody.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.