Policeman shot after three men pursued

A POLICE officer has been shot while chasing three men, Scotland Yard said yesterday.

The male police constable was hit in the arm by a bullet when one of the suspects opened fire on officers in Kingsdown Avenue, South Croydon, at about 10pm on Friday night.

His injuries are not life threatening and he is in a stable condition at a south London hospital.

Three men aged 22, 21 and 18 have been arrested in connection with the incident and are in custody at separate south London police stations, the Metropolitan Police said.

The two older men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, while the teenager was detained on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of drugs.

Officers were called to Kingsdown Avenue following reports of a group of men acting suspiciously.

A police spokesman said: "Officers attended and arrested two suspects. The third suspect ran off. As officers chased this man on foot he produced a handgun and shots were fired. One officer, a male PC, sustained an arm injury."

The unnamed officer is based with the Croydon borough Response Team. Detectives from Operation Trident, which deals with gun crime in the black community, have been informed about the incident.

Territorial Policing Commander Tony Eastaugh said: "I am outstandingly proud of our officers who put themselves in positions of danger on a daily basis to protect the communities of London. It is sad that an unarmed officer has been shot whilst performing his duty to the public. Our thoughts are with him and his family."

In an earlier incident in the area, PC Nigel Albuery, 34, was stabbed after stopping a gang of youths while on a plain clothes patrol in Bute Road, Waddon, Croydon, on 19 May.