An Upper Norwood teenager was bitten by a police dog in an “unprovoked" attack during a night drugs raid, it has been claimed.

Crystal Miller-Hazelden, 17, of Hermitage Road, said the drug search dog mauled her while at a friend's house on Monday, June 8.

Crystal was rushed to hospital with bite marks exposing the bone by her left elbow, and a badly bruised right arm.

According to her mum Jennie Hazelden, the dog “leaped on her and wouldn’t let go” while in her friend’s bedroom.

Mrs Hazelden, 37, of Bridgetown Close, Gipsy Hill said: “It was completely unprovoked. The police were shouting at the dog to release its grip but it wouldn’t. "She ran downstairs when it let go screaming for help. The blood was gushing from her arm.”

The police were visibly shocked by the incident, she said, which occurred during a drugs and stolen property raid in Chestnut Grove, Penge.

She said her daughter was preparing to make a formal complaint.

The wound - which could not be stitched because of concerns about infection - left her “in agony”, she added.

A Bromley police spokesman confirmed that a 17-year-old was bitten by a police dog during the raid.

He would not comment directly on the accusations, but said any complaint would be looked into thoroughly by internal investigators.

He said arrests were made following the raid relating to drugs offences and handling stolen goods.

Mrs Hazelden said she was shocked a police dog could act in such a way.

She said: “If this had been a normal dog attacking someone the Dangerous Dog Act would come into play and someone would be prosecuted. This was a dog attack as well. Shouldn’t the same thing happen?”

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