At least 10 people have been injured in a series of firework attacks in south-east London Scotland Yard said there were three separate incidents between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
Police are appealing for any witnesses and information about the attacks which they believe are linked with similar incidents in north Kent.
Police patrols have also been stepped up in the area.
Officer injured
In the first inicident, at about 1130 BST on Wednesday, fireworks were fired at a group of night-shift workers on an industrial site in Erith.
Nine men were taken to hospital - eight have since been released.
The next incident happened at 0035 BST on Thursday, also in Erith, when a firework destroyed a telephone box.
A police officer was injured when a second firework exploded at the scene. He is recovering at home after hospital treatment.
Later that day about about 1500 BST, a rubbish bin was destroyed by a large firework in Welling.
Chief Superintendant Robin Merrett said: "These incidents have led to a number of people being injured and taken to hospital.
"We are treating these incidents with the utmost seriousness and have increased police patrols in the area.
"I am appalled by these attacks and would stress the extreme dangers of misusing fireworks in public places."
Scotland Yard said it was liaising with Kent Police.
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I am appalled by these attacks and would stress the extreme dangers of misusing fireworks in public places 
