Shocking footage has emerged of a police car hurtling down a residential street before skidding and spinning 180 degrees.

The video, which was posted on Facebook after being shot in Canterbury Street, Gillingham, attracted more than three million views in 12 hours.

The clip shows police dealing with a disturbance in the busy residential street and trying to calm down those involved.

VIDEO: Police car performs handbrake turn

Sirens can then be heard as another police car with blue flashing lights arrives at speed.

Suddenly, the car turns as if performing a dramatic handbrake turn, which sends the vehicle spinning 180 degrees. It comes to rest on the other side of the street.

Startled onlookers can be heard expressing their shock, with one man shouting: "What the **** is that about? Do you want to kill people?"

Kent Police's roads unit tweeted to confirm the car involved was not part of the roads policing team, and said the incident was under investigation.

The force is being criticised over the video, with people on social media saying the manoeuvre endangered the lives of those around.

But police say the car skidded in slippery conditions.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 3.03am on Sunday 30 July to Canterbury Street in Gillingham following reports of a disturbance. Patrols attended and officers called for assistance.

"A police patrol vehicle attending the urgent call skidded on the wet road whilst it was coming to a halt and it was involved in a minor collision with some railings. Nobody was injured as a result of the collision.

"Two men were arrested following the disturbance and have since been released without charge.

"As with any collision involving a police vehicle, an investigation will be carried out to establish the circumstances."