Man shot by police as officers swoop on suspected robbers in Wimbledon
Witnesses described hearing several gunshots and reportedly saw a man running with a "huge firearm" on Monday.
Monday 3 December 2018 16:41, UK
A man has been shot by police after armed officers swooped on two suspected robbers in southwest London.
Witnesses described hearing several gunshots and reportedly saw a man running with a "huge firearm" in Wimbledon during the incident on Monday morning.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed its anti-robbery flying squad had carried out a "proactive operation" with firearms officers and a 23-year-old man had been shot at about 8.10am.
He was taken to a London hospital by ambulance and his condition is described as non-life threatening.
He has since been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob, while a second man is being held on suspicion of the same offence.
The Met Police said it was carrying out an operation "into cash in transit robberies" and a suspected stolen car was recovered at the scene.
One witness said the suspected robbery involved a large white van parked outside a Sainsbury's Local in Haydons Road.
The suspected robbers fled when officers swarmed out of bushes into the street and one of the men exchanged fire with police, the witness said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the incident, while the Met Police's directorate of professional stands have been informed.
Hollie Stark, who lives nearby, told Sky News she heard three or four gunshots when she left her flat with her children.
"We hid behind a car because we didn't know where to go then I heard another gunshot," she said.
"We were behind the car for about five minutes and then we continued to my friend's house. I was scared."
Another witness said she saw a man lying on the floor before paramedics put him on a stretcher and covered his leg.
Andrea Hamilton told Sky News: "There were undercover and armed officers. It was really serious.
"One man was being told to get on the floor, then I saw another person get into an undercover car."
Residents told news website Get West London that they heard a loud bang and saw a man running while holding a pistol past a nearby pub, the Garden Shed.
One resident added: "It wasn't a comfortable sight seeing a man casually dressed with half his face covered with a bandana/snood carrying a huge firearm.
"He then headed back towards North Road and was searching in the gardens of the flats on the corner of North Road for something."
Another resident told the site they saw multiple undercover officers and armed police.
"Someone was put into an ambulance with a large bandage wrapped around their arm," they added.
"Heard police radioing for ambulance, saying that someone had been shot."
Sainsbury's confirmed an incident took place outside its store in Haydons Road, Wimbledon and it was "supporting the police with their investigation".
A number of streets in the area, including Haydons Road, have been closed and a forensic scene is in place.
Police cars appeared to be stationed close to a play park, but the park does not look to be included in the cordon.
The Met Police's flying squad is a branch in the serious and organised crime unit which specialises in armed and unarmed robberies. Officers also investigate crimes where a firearm is involved.