A driver deliberately slowed down to delay an ambulance on an emergency call before shouting “shocking” abuse at two paramedics, police said.

The London Ambulance Service crew members had been rushing to assist an elderly woman who suffered from an acute illness in south London over the Christmas period.

The driver of a Honda CRV-type car pulled up behind the ambulance before getting out and shouting at them.

Scotland Yard said the assault appears to have been motivated by an earlier incident, in which the Honda driver failed to move out of the way of the ambulance despise the fact its lights and sirens were blazing.

Police added that the car was then driven slowly in an apparent attempt to further delay the ambulance.

While shouting abuse at the victims, a man and a woman, the Honda driver claimed he had seen the male crew member swearing at him.

Police are investigating, and have released a CCTV still showing the driver next to the ambulance at the time of the incident.

Police Sergeant John Bouchard,from Sutton Borough, said: "The CCTV is not of good quality, it is possible that the image, combined with the man’s link to the Honda, may enable somebody to identify him.

"I would urge the man responsible to come forward and speak to police. This is a shocking incident where a member of the emergency services was unjustly abused while on shift, and I would like to think this man will come forward and take responsibility for his actions."

London Ambulance Service Team Leader, Katie Vallis, said: "It is completely unacceptable for our staff to suffer verbal abuse from members of the public when they are trying to do their job.

"Thankfully, on this occasion, our crew was not injured, but as a service, we will not tolerate this type of behaviour."

The incident happened at about 6.45pm on December 27 as the ambulance was driving northbound on Central Road near the junction with Green Lane in Worcester Park.

Afterwards the driver of the Honda returned to the car and drove off towards Kingston.

He is described as a white man, aged in his 40s or 50s and around 5ft 6ins in height. He may have been wearing a green jacket, with dark trousers and white trainers.

Neither ambulance crew members were injured and both continued with their shift, police said.

Anyone with information should call Sutton police on 101. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.