Bexley police are appealing for information after thieves broke into Erith cemetery and then reversed into a police car - injuring an officer.

At around 5pm on June 22 police were alerted to three men committing a burglary at the cemetery in Brook Street, stealing gardening equipment used to maintain the cemetery.

As officers approached the cemetery they saw a white transit van leaving, turning into Carlton Road and stopping at the junction with Colindale Avenue.

As an officer got out of the police car the van suddenly reversed into it, causing substantial damage and leaving the officer driving the vehicle with an ankle injury.

The van was found abandoned in Thwaite Close a short while later, with all the stolen property still in it.

The first suspect is described as a fat white male, aged 24-30, fat, 6ft tall, tanned, with dark hair in a bowl hair style. He was described as wearing a grey hoody, which was found discarded in Thwaite Close.

The second suspect is described as a white male, aged 24-30, thin, 6ft 3ins tall, pale skin, with light hair in a bowl hair style. He was wearing beige shorts and a grey t-shirt.

The third suspect is described as a white male, 6ft tall with short mousy hair.

If anyone has any information, they should contact Bexley Police on 020 8284 5527 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.