12:31pm Thursday 26th June 2008
By David Jackman
TWO people have now been arrested following a shooting in Loughton this morning in which a police car was damaged.
Police were contacted shortly before 8am following what police have described as a "motoring complaint" on Pyrles Lane.
A police spokesman said: "Officers stopped a car, but the window of the police vehicle was then broken after it was shot at."
The Guardian understands that a police sergeant was either in the vehicle or had just got out when the shot was fired.
The spokesman added: "The Golf was then driven off. There were no injuries sustained to any police officer or member of the public."
Armed police were called to the scene, with Pyrles Lane cordoned off at both ends as officers questioned passers-by, some of whom reported hearing a single shot being fired before they saw a car being driven off.
Joe Roberts, of Mead Close, in Loughton works at the Costcutters convenience store close to the scene which was within the police cordon.
Speaking at the scene,he told the Guardian: "I just heard the gunshot and saw the car driving off. It's a bit shocking really."
Another passer-by, Carol - who did not want to give her full name - said: "I think it's quite scary really. I've just moved out (of this road). It makes me glad that I've moved from here."
About an hour-and-a-half after the incident, at 9.30am, a man and a woman were arrested in Rainham, east London, in connection with the shooting.
An Essex Police statement said that a further arrest was made in Romford last night (Wednesday, June 26).
The Metropolitan Police are due to release a statement detailing their part in the incident later this afternoon.
A joint investigation between the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police has now begun, an Essex Police spokesman said.
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