Three people have been arrested after a dispute between a train passenger and staff at East Croydon station sparked a violent fracas, injuring three police officers.

British Transport Police were called to the busy station just after 5pm following reports of a man on a train "refusing to co-operate with staff". 

Officers attended and met the train at platform six, where a police spokesman said the passenger "became aggressive" towards them.

The BTP spokesman added: "During the course of the incident, three police officers received injuries to their knee, face and wrist, and are currently receiving our support."

A video posted on Twitter showed officers coming close to being pushed into the tracks.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. A second man and a woman were also detained on suspicion of public order offences.

All three remain in police custody.

Witnesses described seeing people "pinned to the floor" in handcuffs on the platform after "fighting police".

Samantha Dutton, who was waiting for a train on platform six at the time, said she saw at least one police officer injured.

She said: "I got to the platform around just after 5.20pm as work round the corner and when I got there the police were initially with a girl and a boy trying to calm them both down but it was not working at all.

"Next thing it got louder and then another boy was getting involved and it all kind of kicked off.

"I had to move away as got out control. I really thought he policeman were gonna all fall on tracks but were instead dragged into a pole and I even saw a police officer lying on the ground hurt. Looked like after a while he had hurt his leg."

Footage posted on social media showed a man being restrained by officers. He could he heard shouting: "I can't breathe."

Matt Smith posted on Twitter: "Serious goings on at East Croydon station! Police everywhere and 4 guys pinned to the floor with handcuffs!"

Jamie Made wrote: "A ton of coppers dashing in to East Croydon station".

Another Twitter user said: "4 police cars just pulled up in front of East Croydon station and all the coppers have just run inside."

There were unconfirmed reports the fracas had been caused by a dispute about a ticket.

Did you see what happened? Call the newsdesk on 0208 722 6351 or email chris.baynes@london.newsquest.co.uk