Police have released video footage of a “despicable” attack on two officers which resulted in one of them being fly-kicked in the head.

The Met said the two police constables had stopped a vehicle in Kingswood Road, Merton, south-west London when the three occupants ran off.

It said the PCs managed to detain Martin Payne before Kursan Euell and another person returned and attacked them.

Body-worn camera footage shows the officers managing to get one of the men to the ground when he calls for the others not to leave him.

It then shows another attacker running towards a female officer before appearing to leap. She then falls to the ground with a cry of pain.

The force said the officer was left with head injuries and narrowly missed being hit by a double-decker bus while her colleague was left with cuts and both needed hospital treatment.

Merton police attack
Martin Payne, 20, of South Croydon, pleaded guilty to one count of actual bodily harm (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Payne admitted one count of actual bodily harm at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, December 14.

The 20-year-old of Brighton Road, South Croydon, also admitted driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence.

Euell, 20 of Penerley Road, Catford, admitted two counts of actual bodily harm.

Payne was jailed for two years and nine months and Euell for three-and-a-half years at the same court on Monday, for the attack which took place in November last year.

Merton police attack
Kursan Euell, 20, of Catford, pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm (Metropolitan Police/PA)

In a joint statement Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, commander for roads and transport policing, and Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, south west commander said the jail terms showed how seriously the courts take assaults on police officers.

They added: “Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to attack an officer should expect to face the consequences of their actions.

“The impact of this despicable assault has been considerable, not only on the two officers involved but on their families, friends and colleagues.

“Whilst police officers are rightly expected to handle difficult and hostile situations on a regular basis, we do not accept that assaults are part of the job, and we feel that our officers deserve the protection of the law in order to do their jobs effectively.”