A crowd of people threw objects at police who were responding to a shooting in Brixton last night.
Met Police officers, including firearms officers, were called by paramedics to respond to a shooting on Moorland Road, Brixton, just after 9:30pm.
A man in his mid-20s is believed to have suffered gunshot wounds and stabbing injuries, which are said to be life-changing but not life-threatening after he received treatment at a south London hospital.
A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in police custody.
Whilst at the scene, police officers were approached by a large group of people and objects were thrown towards them.
Officers from the Territorial Support Group attempted and worked to disperse the crowds and no officers are believed to have sustained any serious injuries.
Superintendent Dan Ivey, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in Lambeth and Southwark, said: “The scenes we saw last night were unacceptable. A shocking outburst of violence unfolded, in which a man sustained very serious injuries. But for the speed of the officers who responded, and the skill of medical staff, this could well have turned out to be a murder investigation.
“We are doing everything we can to support our colleagues in Specialist Crime as they investigate. Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area. I urge anyone who has information that could help us to call 101 or speak to those officers and tell us know what they know. Silence protects violent criminals. Police and local communities must work together to take these people off our streets.
“The scenes that followed the initial horrific incident were equally unacceptable. The officers at the scene were working to conduct an investigation following a serious incident and were dispersing crowds when they themselves were subject to an abhorrent attack from crowds of people who pelted them with items.
“The crowds were dispersed after further resources were deployed to the scene and order was restored. The people who were involved in that disorder can be assured that there is an investigation and we will be working to identify them and bring them to justice.”
A crime scene is in place and a police presence remains in the area for the reassurance of local residents, whilst the Met continue to investigate what happened.
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 7951/02Jun.
Featured image supplied by the Met Police.
