A MAN has been shot during a pre-planned police operation while allegedly trying to rob a Sainsbury’s store in Wimbledon, the Metropolitan Police said.
The suspect – claimed to have arrived on the scene in a white armoured van – has been rushed to hospital following the incident, while a second man was arrested for conspiracy to rob.
A builder claimed that cops swooped after the van neared the Sainsbury’s Local store this morning at Haydons Road.
He told the London Evening Standard:“Within two seconds there was an altercation with two armed robbers.
“One of them ran into a cul-de-sac but when he saw he wasn’t going anywhere he shot back at the police and they shot him.
“It was anything from seven to 11 shots. We hit the deck.”
Several roads in the area were closed off, and locals have seen a heavy presence of armed police officers this morning.
One local told GetWestLondon that they heard a “loud bang”.
They added: “I saw a man wearing red – not sure if undercover police or not – running past the Garden Shed pub pointing a pistol.
“Almost immediately as the guy in red ran past the pub, two undercover cars put on their sirens and pulled a U turn back up Haydons Road. All parties involved headed up North Road.”
Another witness added: “A lot of police turned up, there were vans everywhere and a lot of unmarked cars, with sirens blaring outside.
“I believe somebody was shot, it was a very distinctive sound – and then a team of armed police came running by the window.
In a statement police said: “A man has been shot during a pre-planned police operation in Wimbledon. The incident happened at about 08:10hrs on Monday, 3 December in Lacock Close.
“A proactive operation was conducted by officers from the Met’s Flying Squad assisted by firearms officers.
“During the course of the operation, one man was shot by police.
“He has been taken by London Ambulance Service to a London hospital. We await an update on his condition.
“A second man has been arrested for conspiracy to rob. “The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards have been informed.
“A number of roads in the area, including Haydons Road, have been closed and a forensic scene is in place.
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“The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an independent investigation.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said the man had been rushed to hospital suffering serious injuries.
He said: “We treated a person at the scene and took them as a priority to a major trauma centre.”