Two young children attacked by four dogs as armed police called in

The attack happened on a street near Orpington in broad daylight

Two young children have been rushed to hospital after being attacked by four dogs. The incident happened on a street in broad daylight today.

The children were aged four and six. A woman, 30, was also injured.

The attack happened on Mickleham Road in St Paul's Cray, near Orpington in south London. It happened at around 9am today, Saturday, October 5.

Armed police and other officers were scrambled to the residential street. Police say the dogs were brought under control before they were taken away.

Met Police bosses say a woman has been arrested on suspicion of having dogs dangerously out of control. She is currently in police custody.

The children and the woman are not believed to be seriously injured, police say. An London Ambulance Service spokesperson told The Mirror: “We were called at 8.49am this morning (5 October) to reports of an incident in Mickleham Lane, Orpington. We sent a number of resources to the scene including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance. We treated one adult and two children at the scene and took them all to a major trauma centre by road.”

Mickleham Road was taped off after the incident. The Met says there will be more officers in the area in the coming days. Superintendent Mitch Carr, South Area BCU, said: "I know this incident will have caused a lot of public concern, especially due to the young age of the children injured. Fortunately, it is believed that none of the injuries are life-threatening.

"A woman has been arrested on suspicion of having dogs dangerously out of control and she has been taken into custody. The dogs have also been taken to police kennels while the investigation is ongoing. Extra officers will be in the area over the next few days to provide community reassurance."

A full statement on X from the force read: "A woman has been arrested on suspicion of having dogs dangerously out of control after an incident in St Paul's Cray this morning. Police were called shortly before 9am to reports of four dogs having injured members of the public. Two children, aged 4 and 6 and a 30-year-old woman were found injured. Their injuries have been assessed as non life-threatening."

The incident even caused traffic delays locally. An AA statement after it happened said: "Road blocked and slow traffic due to police incident on Mickleham Road both ways between Blythe Hill and St Pauls Wood Hill. Detour in operation - for bus routes B14, R1, R11." It was reopened by midday.