This is the moment a police vehicle was used to knock down a knife-wielding man in the centre of Malaga on Thursday night.

It came after he allegedly threatened passers-by and tried to stab an officer in Plaza de Cruz de Humilladero at around 10.30pm.

The Policia Nacional said officers were called to reports of a man dressed in black wandering through the square with a knife.

The first patrol ordered him to drop the weapon, but he ignored their instructions, threatened to kill them and made several stabbing movements towards one officer.

The officer drew his service weapon during the confrontation, although no shots were fired.

With the man, said to be aged around 50, continuing to act aggressively, the patrol requested urgent backup.

Officers from the force’s Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR) arrived in a police van, which struck the suspect and knocked him to the ground.

Police described the driver’s actions as a ‘precise manoeuvre’ carried out at a ‘proportionate speed’.

Officers then used a protective shield to help disarm the suspect, who continued shouting insults and making incoherent remarks.

Police believe he may have been experiencing a mental health episode, although no diagnosis was provided.

The suspect received treatment at a health centre for minor injuries sustained during the intervention. He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

An officer also required medical treatment for a sprained wrist and neck pain.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.