Oops ... we're going to cop it from the sarge for this

A high-powered police car smashed through railings in Whitehall after being sent to catch a gang of pickpockets.

The BMW saloon was written off in the accident at a busy crossing in Westminster. The two officers inside the diplomatic response vehicle were treated for cuts and bruises at the scene.

It is thought the driver understeered at a sharp corner while turning into Parliament Street.

The crash drew crowds of onlookers, many of whom took pictures with their mobile phones.

The Met said the officers were answering a call last night for help to catch the suspected pickpockets in Leicester Square.

It had its blue lights and siren on as it turned the corner.

Samantha Nadin had just hobbled across the pelican crossing on crutches. The sales assistant, 37, from Camden, said: "I had got to the other side when I heard an almighty bang behind me. I turned around to look and saw that a police car had gone right through two sets of railings.

"It must have been going at some speed to do that. If it had been just a few moments earlier I would have been hit and killed."