Two PCSOs have been mowed down after a shoplifter making her getaway drove into them.

The shocking incident happened on Friday afternoon in front of horrified shoppers at Ashford's Designer Outlet.

Officers from Kent Police were called to the scene at around 12.50pm after reports of a shoplifting from a store.

Neighbourhood officers also attended and tried to speak to the suspect after spotting her in her car.

But the woman drove off smashing into one of the PCSOs, causing non-life threatening injuries, and hitting the other.

Both officers were taken to the William Harvey Hospital where one was detained and the other discharged following an examination.

Police later arrested a suspect, along with a second woman who was still near the Designer Outlet.

Both are being quizzed.

The stolen property was recovered.

Chief Inspector John Frayne said: "This investigation is clearly in it's early stages and we are following lines of enquiry.

"Stolen property has been recovered and arrests have been made. Thankfully neither of the two officers has sustained life threatening injury."

Anyone with information should contact South Kent police on 01622 690 690 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.