A police officer who was attacked with a hammer while on duty has returned to work.

Police were called to the underpass by Jubilee Avenue, in Whitton at 3.30pm on May 20 following reports of two men on a moped behaving suspiciously.

Officers attended and spotted the suspects.

They attempted to make off upon sighting police but were stopped from leaving the area by the two attending police officers.

At this point, one of the men on the moped produced a hammer and struck one of the police officers over the head causing a cut and bruising to the head.

Since then, Brandon Flanagan, 18, of Bell Lane in Twickenham has been charged with intent to resist arrest, possession of a bladed article, possession of an offensive weapon and allowing himself to be carried on a stolen vehicle.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on May 22 and was remanded and will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on June 18.

But today, leader of the South West BCU in the Met Police, Sally Benatar, was able to provide some good news about the officer who was attacked.

"Pleased to say our colleague assaulted with a hammer is coming back to work today," she tweeted.

"Back on the streets with his team @MPSKingston @MPSRichmond.

"He’s asked me to pass on his thanks for all the messages.

"He’s feeling much better and has been overwhelmed with the support. Thank you."

This followed another tweet by Chief Superintendent Benatar where in which she praised her officers.

"I’m very proud of the bravery of the two #SouthWestBCU Response officers involved in this appalling incident," she tweeted on May 21.