A POLICEMAN broke his arm while chasing graffiti vandals on a train in Twickenham on Saturday.

The incident happened while officers from the British Transport Police worked at Twickenham station, dealing with the rugby crowds returning from the Barbarians match on December 4.

Two officers on the platform noticed a group of three or four youths on a train coming into the station, who they believed had just been spraying some graffiti, and tried to apprehend them.

While chasing them down the train one of the PCs broke his forearm, after he got it caught between the metal rail and glass pane inside the door of the automatic door trains.

Chief Inspector Rudolph Otter explained: "While he was giving chase he got his arm caught then turned, but his arm didn't. It all happened in an instant, so quickly.

"It was a nasty break to his forearm and he had two metal plates put in during an operation on Sunday.

"He is now recuperating at home."

Unfortunately the youths managed to escape while the injured officer was treated, but police are now examining CCTV and asking for witnesses in the hope that they can be traced.

If you saw anything please contact the BTP on 0800 40 59 40.