Metropolitan police say officer is in stable condition after shooting in Hackney, with one man arrested at the scene

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A police officer is in hospital in stable condition after being shot during an anti-gang operation in east London, Scotland Yard said.

Shots were fired as the Metropolitan police’s specialist firearms unit SCO19 carried out an operation at 12.45pm in Scriven Street, Hackney. A 31-year-old man was arrested at the scene after police raided a terrace house in Phoenix Close.

The officer was apparently shot as he chased the gunman during the armed raid. Pictures from the scene which the Guardian chose not to publish show the officer with a bloody bandage on his back below his left shoulder.

Met Commander Duncan Ball said officers were seeking to recover a weapon and detain those in possession of it, when the officer was shot.

“During the operation, a firearm was discharged, wounding a male detective constable,” said Ball. “He was treated at the scene and taken to an east London hospital where I am pleased to confirm he is now in a stable condition. At this early stage it has been established the officer received a gunshot wound through the shoulder during the operation - and an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”

Jamie Grierson (@JamieGrierson) Police officers entering Phoenix Close where the armed anti-gang operation took place before the shooting. pic.twitter.com/ONusCl0rKi

The injured officer was taken to hospital by air ambulance.

“We were called to a police incident near Haggerston Road in Haggerston,” a London ambulance service spokesman said. “We sent a number of resources to the scene including an incident officer and London’s air ambulance.

“We treated one patient who was taken as a priority to hospital by air.”

A resident of Loanda Close, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said he witnessed the shooter clamber across rooftops away from police.

“I was in my living room watching TV when I saw a load of armed officers outside my house,” he said. “A black man appeared in the window opposite. They ordered him to remain inside but he threw something out the window.

“The next thing I know I see him running over the rooftops. I then heard a loud bang. A single bang coming from Scriven Street.

“I now know an officer was shot and it was gang crime related. It’s left me feeling really frightened.” Other residents said they believed the suspect had only recently moved into the area.

A significant cordon was put up around Scriven Court, Scriven Street, Clarissa Street and Loanda Close, while several officers and police vehicles remain at the scene.

Ibrahim Payton, who owns Bay’s fish and chip shop opposite the scene of the shooting and witnessed the aftermath, said: “I heard the gunshot. It was so loud and I knew straight away it was a gunshot.

“I looked out the window and saw two men lying in the street with police officers around them. One was white, one was black.

“There are so many police officers. They were holding the black guy to the ground, while it looked like they were trying to treat the white guy. I’ve been here for three years and I’ve not seen anything like it.”

Jamie Grierson (@JamieGrierson) Scene at Clarissa St in Haggerston near where police op started. Witnesses say shooter fled from nearby Loanda Close pic.twitter.com/gzo9uc4MlP

Kaner Korbay, who owns nearby dry cleaners Bree-Zee, said: “There was a raid on a house in Scriven Street, they tried to get away and the police were chasing them.

“One of them shot the policeman. Right in the middle of the street, the centre of Haggerston Road.

“I heard the noise of the gun, two rounds I think. Within 30 seconds the police were everywhere, blocking the road. I saw the police officer getting treated with his shirt off. I think he was shot on his shoulder, they were covering his shoulder with bandages. I saw one of the guys in handcuffs next to the wall.”

He added: “There were undercover officers and police officers with guns running around everywhere. They were armed with machine guns.”

Nilesh Kalawadia, who owns Friends newsagents nearby, said: “I thought it was fireworks, I just heard the bang, and saw lots of disruption outside. There were lots of police standing outside – 50 or 60.”



Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “So soon after the tragic death of an officer on Merseyside, this incident once again reminds us of the dangers faced by officers policing in 2015.”

