Police on the scene in Clarissa Street, Haggerston. Credit: SWNS.
A police officer was shot in the shoulder during an operation by the Met’s Trident gang crime unit in Haggerston at 12.45pm on Thursday.
The wounded DC is now in a stable condition in an east London hospital.
A 31-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
Local residents told The Telegraph that the officer was chasing suspects fleeing the raid when one of them turned around and shot him.
Eye witness reports claim Clarissa Road was lined with undercover police in cars when “at least two shots” were heard.
David Silvester, 28, living locally, told The Independent on the scene: “There were undercovers all up the street, one of them screaming: ‘Nick’s been shot, Nick’s been shot’.
“The armed officers were running in one direction, and then the people who live round here were pointing in the opposite direction.”
Residents said they were “shocked” over the incident.
Pictures from scene of #Haggerston shooting, #Hackney. Police officer taken to hospital. More on @SkyNews now. pic.twitter.com/rbsuxT5Bil
— Hazel Baker (@HazelBakerSky) October 15, 2015
In a statement made by Scotland Yard, Commander Duncan Ball from the Met’s Specialist Crime and Operations said: “The firearms incident earlier today illustrates the very real risks that police officers take on behalf of the public to keep London safe.
“The intelligence led operation sought to recover a firearm and apprehend those in possession of it.
Duncan Ball gave a statement outside Scotland Yard this afternoon. Credit: Met Police.
“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.
“We would ask that the officer and his family’s privacy are respected at this time, including the reproduction of images of the injuries he has suffered or speculation on his identity.”
