Met firearms officer hurt in chase

An officer from the Metropolitan Police firearms unit was critically ill last night after sustaining head injuries while pursuing a car driven by armed suspects across east London.

Police went to an address in Dagenham at 6.15am yesterday after reports of a break-in, but the suspects escaped in a silver Chrysler and failed to stop for firearms officers waiting for them in Stratford.

The car pulled up briefly to set down a man, who ran off. The officer, in his thirties, sustained "life-threatening" injuries when he got out to approach the suspects' car. It was last night unclear how he was injured, but Scotland Yard said he was not shot or stabbed. Two other officers received minor injuries when the Chrysler rammed a police vehicle. Three people were arrested.