THREE people have been arrested in connection with the mowing down of two police officers.

The day after the incident, which happened at around 11pm on August 18, an Erith man aged 21, was arrested in connection with causing grievous bodily harm.

On the same day, a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of arson and perverting the course of justice.

There was a further arrest on August 21 when a second man, aged 19, who lives in Thamesmead, voluntarily attended Bexleyheath police station.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

All three were later released on bail and were due to return to Bexleyheath police station yesterday.

Bexley Community Safety Partnership has now joined police calls for potential witnesses to come forward.

Sergeant Ian Ring, 43, who heads the Thamesmead East Safer Neighbourhoods team, and team member PC Rob Evans, were patrolling on bikes in Thamesmead on August 18.

They decided to make some routine inquiries of four people sitting in a car which was parked in the car park of the Barge Pole pub in Harrow Manorway, Thamesmead.

But as they approached, the car began moving.

It hit both of the officers before speeding away without stopping.

It is believed all the occupants were men.

Sergeant Ring, a police officer for nine years, is still recovering in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

He is being treated for a number of injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, a dislocated pelvis, a broken collar bone and a punctured lung.

PC Evans was treated for shock at the scene but was otherwise unhurt.

The car, a silver grey VW Golf GTI, had been been stolen seven days earlier in Kent.

A few hours after the incident police recovered the burnt-out car less than a mile from the scene.

Detective Inspector Kurt Conroy, who is leading the investigation, has renewed his appeal for information to find the people in the car.

He said: "The car drove off at speed.

"I am appealing for anyone who saw it, either in the car park or speeding away or anyone who might recognise the description of the car, to contact us."

Potential witnesses may have been leaving the Barge Pole pub or getting on or off buses at nearby stops.

The leader of Bexley Council, Councillor Ian Clement, also joined the appeal for witnesses.

He said: "I was shocked and horrified by this appalling incident."

He paid tribute to both officers adding: "I send my best wishes for Sergeant Ring's speedy recovery."

Anyone with information about the incident should call 020 8284 9233 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.