A man has been arrested after attempting to flee police following a routine stop and search in Deptford.

Violent Crime Taskforce officers seized a large kitchen knife hidden in a sock, suspected class A drugs and a three-figure sum of cash after searching a car.

The car was approached on Windlass Place on Tuesday (August 27) at around 7.40pm.

Two men attempted to drive away but crashed into the police car in doing so.

Both reportedly tried to escape on foot and one man in his 20s was detained.

Detective Superintendent Sean Yates said: "This arrest and removal of a dangerous weapon, was the result of a routine stop and search patrol by officers.

"Positive efforts like this by the Taskforce and teams in the Met are helping us make great strides towards tackling violent crime and taking dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets.

"This should be a warning to anyone who is carrying or thinking of carrying a weapon in London – we have teams across the city, both in uniform and plain clothes, who are out 24/7 and committed to stopping this from happening."

No officers were injured, and the police car is currently being repaired for minor damage.

The man was arrested on suspicion of an offensive weapon, aggravated taking driving away and possession with intent to supply class A.

Anyone concerned with drug dealing or knife crime in their area can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.