A lone police officer was strangled by a suspected drug dealer after a chase through Woolwich in broad daylight.

At about 2pm yesterday (January 29) a plain-clothes police officer spotted a 26-year-old suspect in Lord Warwick Street.

The suspect then ran from the officer.

The officer chased the suspect into Leda Road, where there was a struggle.

A spokesman for Greenwich police said: "There was a sustained struggle during which the suspect resisted being detained and strangled the officer by wrapping his legs around his neck while they were on the floor."

A "significant" amount of what is believed to be Class A drugs was found at the scene.

The suspect was arrested for possession with intent to supply a class A drug, and for obstructing a drugs search.

The police officer did not require hospital treatment.

The suspect remains in custody.