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Thirteen injured as car ploughs into pedestrians in Kent

Thirteen people have been injured - four of them seriously - after a car ploughed into a group of pedestrians in Kent.

The accident happened in front of police officers, who had been called to the scene to deal with speeding drivers in Rochester.

More than 20 ambulance staff were brought in to treat those injured in the crash.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said those most badly hurt had been taken to King's College Hospital in London.

Kent Police said they were all men, aged between 20 and 50. Their injuries are not said to be life threatening.

The other nine were treated at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham.

An 18-year-old man from Eltham in southeast London was taken into custody after being arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The local force said in a statement: "Officers were called to reports of a disturbance involving nuisance vehicles in Sir Thomas Longley Road and, while they were in attendance, a collision took place between a car and a number of pedestrians at 10.16pm."

Police have reportedly begun a crackdown on speeding drivers in the area.

A weekly dispersal order is said to operate on Friday evenings, enabling officers to tackle the problem.

Sergeant Scott Lynch, from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "A lot of people were in the area at the time and we believe that some of them may have video or pictures of the collision.

"I would like to encourage anyone with footage to get in contact with us as it could be vital for our investigation."

:: Anyone with information should contact police on 01622 798538 and quote reference 30-1553.