Two police officers have been taken to hospital after fears they were exposed to a chemical following an arrest in Penge.

At around 6.30pm yesterday (Wednesday), police were called to Penge High Street after the public reported a group of shoplifters in the area.

A man was arrested on suspicion of assault on police and was taken to hospital after reporting to the police that he had “ingested drugs.”

On the way to hospital, two police officers “reported feeling unwell”, stopping in Hayes Lane.

Crews from London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were both sent to the scene after there were concerns that police may have been exposed to a chemical.

An ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and members of the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the scene.

Both officers went to hospital as a precaution.

The man arrested remains in hospital in a serious condition.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “At around 18:30hrs police were called to reports of a group of shoplifters in Penge High Street. Officers responded and pursued one man on foot.

“The man was arrested on suspicion of assault on police. He was put in a police vehicle and taken to hospital after he claimed to have ingested drugs.

“On the way two officers in the vehicle reported feeling unwell and stopped in Hayes Lane.

“LFB and LAS attended after concerns that they might have been exposed to a chemical. However the incident has now been stood down. Both officers have gone to hospital as a precaution.

“The man arrested remains in hospital in a serious condition.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 7.40pm on Wednesday 21 August to reports of an incident at the junction of Hayes Lane and Kenwood Drive, Beckenham.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

“Our crews treated three people at the scene, before taking two to hospital. The remaining patient was taken to hospital by a third party.”