After attempting to search the suspect, the male officer was punched in the face several times by some of the other youths, causing him to fall to the ground.

The female officer then stepped in to help her colleague and was then also punched in the jaw.

The Metropolitan Police said the group continued to assault the male officer on the floor by repeatedly kicking him in the head, leaving him with serious bruising and damaging his mobile phone.

He was taken to a south London hospital for his injuries as a precaution.

The attack happened in Goodwood Road, near the junction with New Cross Road, at about 4pm on Wednesday, November 9.