Police officer shot during armed operation in east London

. Credit: .

A policeman has been taken to hospital after being shot during an armed raid in east London.

The officer, who is in a stable condition, was shot at lunchtime in the middle of the street in Hackney.

People living nearby said the officer, named locally as Nick, was chasing suspects fleeing the raid when one of them turned around and shot him.

Residents said Clarissa Road in Haggerston was lined with undercover police in cars when at least two shots rang out.

Business owner David Salvester, 28, said it was obvious they were on an undercover operation when one plain-clothes officer shouted: "Nick's been shot."

Credit: ITV News
Credit: ITV News

Kaner Korbay, who owns nearby dry cleaners Bree-Zee, added:

Credit: ITV News

The injured officer was taken to an east London hospital by air ambulance where he remains in a stable condition.

The Metropolitan Police said officers from their Specialist Firearms Command (SCO19) and Trident Area Crime Command had been taking part in an authorised firearms operation when the shooting happened.