A police officer fired her Taser at a gunman as she challenged a gang fleeing a suspected cannabis factory.

Pc Christie Donald challenged the gunman who charged at her as she reached the scene in Hendon at 4am today. A handgun fell from the suspect’s jacket pocket as he collapsed to the ground.

Pc Donald, a response team officer from Barnet, was one of five officers called to reports of a break-in at the semi-detached house in Hall Lane.

She and colleague Pc Russell Adkins arrived first and saw the group burst from the property.

As she jumped from her car to confront them, other suspects in a BMW rammed the police car.

Her colleague chased the BMW but was forced to abandon the pursuit because of the suspects’ “extremely dangerous” driving.

Commander Simon Rose, in charge of the North West area policing, today praised the bravery of his team.

He said: “The response by my officers, including Pc Christie Donald, challenging the suspects as they ran towards her, Tasering one and recovering the firearm demonstrates the split-second, potentially life or death decision making, that officers are required to make every day ... We have arrested two suspects but still have outstanding suspects to apprehend.”

A firearm and ammunition were recovered.

Police were alerted at 4am by an off-duty special constable from Barnet who saw what he thought was a burglary in progress.

A Met spokeswoman said: “There are between four and six outstanding suspects. Some of whom made off on foot while the others left in two vehicles.

“It was established that the venue was being used as a cannabis factory. At this stage, there have been no further arrests.”