Panic in central London on Christmas morning when a car crashed into a pavement, injuring four people who were at the scene.

The incident took place on Shaftesbury Avenue, with one of the injured in a critical condition, while the driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Metropolitan Police officers were called at 12.45am following reports of an accident caused by a car traveling on the opposite side of the road.

The 31-year-old driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police confirmed.

Shaftesbury Avenue is a major street in London’s West End, considered the “heart” of the city’s theater district.

“It is believed the suspect was involved in an altercation in a nightclub before getting into his car and riding on the pavement,” a police official said.