PC shot in the line of duty (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

PC shot in the line of duty

10:13am Thursday 29th June 2006

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AN undercover police officer is recovering after being shot in the shoulder when a surveillance operation went wrong.

A high-speed car chase ensued followed the incident, which happened about half a mile from Wanstead Flats, in Matcham Road, Leytonstone, at around 3.30pm on Tuesday.

According to police, the surveillance operation was being carried out by two male constables attached to the violent crime directorate, part of the terroritorial policing unit, who were unarmed.

A number of shots were fired, hitting one of the officers, aged in his 40s, in the shoulder.

Five men have been arrested, and are now being held at police stations in east London, but police say there may be others involved who are yet to be traced.

Matcham Road, Cary Road, Chichester Road, Cheneys Road, Bourne Road and Victoria Road were all sealed off after the incident.

A Matcham Road neighbour said: "I have never felt so frightened before in my life. It used to be quiet here, but it has changed tremendously. So many different people have moved into the area."

Meanwhile in Bourne Road more men were being searched by police.

An eyewitness told the Guardian she saw a man lying on the ground surrounded by armed response officers, while a forensics team searched cars close by.

After the shooting police pursued a car to Victoria Road, where the vehicle slammed into a parked car before driving on.

It was stopped by police further along the street.

The crash happened directly outside greengrocer Maurice Stratton's shop, at the corner of Victoria Road and Leytonstone High Road.

Mr Stratton said: "The car flew round the corner, and smashed my customer's car into my van. I feel sorry for the customer. He's only had his car about five days and it is a write-off.

"I have never seen so many police. You do not see any for months and then there are thousands of them."

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