A police officer has been shot and injured in Ferguson, the American town where the police killing of a young black man sparked riots in August.

Police say the officer was chasing suspected burglars when one turned and shot him in the arm. They did not comment on his condition.

The shooting is not thought to be connected to separate protests in the Missouri town going on at the same time.

The suburb of St Louis has seen weeks of occasionally violent protests since the death of black teenager Michael Brown, shot by a white policeman in August.

Last Thursday Ferguson’s police chief issued a video apology to Brown’s parents.

It was not well received by some and led to more demonstrations. Activists have accused the police of being too heavy-handed with protesters.

A grand jury and the US Justice Department are investigating the case.

The suspects involved in Saturday’s shooting are still at large.