A SPECIALIST police team has carried out a finger-tip search of a stretch of Pyrles Lane, in Loughton, as investigations continue into yesterday's shooting.

The police cordon along the Loughton road was extended as about half a dozen officers on their hands and knees hunted for possible clues and evidence following the incident when a shot was fired at a police car.

Officers were called to the area shortly before 8am yesterday (Thursday) following a report of a suspect vehicle.

A shot was fired into the windscreen of a patrol car when officers went to carry out a routine check of the driver.

A car was then driven off.

Witnesses have reported hearing a single shot but the Metropolitan Police said their officers had been alerted, to pursue a suspect vehicle, after "shots" were fired at an Essex Police vehicle.

It is understood that an Essex Police sergeant was either in the vehicle or had just got out when the shot was fired into the driver's side of the windscreen.

The Metropolitan Police, including the force's helicopter, was alerted and a man and a woman were arrested in Hornchurch about 90 minutes after the shooting, after the 22-year-old man was Tasered.

Both were being held at an east London police station for questioning.

The man is also being questioned over the shooting of a man who went to the accident and emergency department at Queens Hospital, in Romford, last night.

Meanwhile, Pyrles Lane has been cordoned off all day. This morning police were questioning passers-by, some of whom spoke of their shock at what had happened.

A police officer was this evening seen speaking to the driver of a recovery vehicle which was carrying a white van just outside the police cordon.

It remains unclear whether the vehicle was being removed as part of the shooting investigation.