A paramedic was injured after a man tried to open the back of an ambulance while an elderly patient was being treated in Romford, in the early hours of Sunday.

Ambulance crews were called to Sheringham Avenue to treat the elderly woman who was complaining of chest pain at around 2.10am.

A police spokesman said that while staff were helping the woman into the back of an ambulance, they were approached by a white man, aged 20-25, who was aggressive towards them.

After they shut the door and began treating the patient, the suspect tried to force open the doors of the ambulance.

One of the paramedics, a 49-year-old man, opened the door to try to speak to the man, who lunged at him.

The paramedic suffered ligament damage when he tried to duck out of the way of the suspect and fell over.

The suspect then fled the scene.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Havering Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.