A man has been arrested in Bexley after a homophobic attack on an emergency worker.

The man has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of two offensive weapons, including a sock filled with large rocks and a small black lock knife.

He was cycling along Bexleyheath Broadway wearing a balaclava when police officers stopped him.

He allegedly refused to stop and police officers say they had to tackle him to the ground in order to restrain and search him.

A spokesperson for Bexley Police said: “On 11th July at about 16.30 a male was cycling along Bexleyheath Broadway wearing a balaclava.

“Due to recent intelligence describing suspects for knife crime in the area wearing balaclavas covering their faces, officers wanted to stop the male.

“He refused to stop and tried to make off.

“He was tackled to the floor and kept fighting and trying to make off.

“He was eventually stopped and with the assistance of other officers was restrained and searched.

“On his person was a sock containing two large rocks.

“Found nearby was a small black lock knife.

“He was arrested for possession of two offensive weapons, assault on an emergency worker, and Section 3A Public Order which was of a homophobic nature.”