Suspect shot in hand after patrol stops car

ARMED officers shot a suspect through the hand after a car linked to a murder was stopped in west London, prompting an investigation by the police watchdog.

They followed the vehicle carrying four men to Chelsea where it was brought to a halt by armed response vehicles at about 9pm on Sunday.

During the arrests, near Battersea Bridge, a shot was fired from a police weapon, hitting one of the men in the car. He remains in hospital but his injury is not believed to be life-threatening. Following a mandatory referral from the Met, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) sent a team to the scene.

It is understood the IOPC will investigate whether the gun was discharged accidentally.

The stop came as part of a investigation into the death of a man who was stabbed in Southampton shortly before 12.30pm on Sunday. He was taken to hospital with a chest wound but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Yesterday a witness told The Daily Telegraph: “We heard a noise and thought ‘was that a gunshot?’ and there was a helicopter. There were 50 to 60 people gathered around to see. Police had boxed in a car. It had smashed win- dows and looked like a sports car. There were four guys in there and one on the floor.

“It’s a bit of a shock to see. It’s a rich residential area, so it’s not something we are used to.”

Graham Beesley, regional director of the IOPC, said: “The discharge of firearms by police officers is relatively rare but where potentially lethal force has been used, it is important that we carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances.”

Five men aged between 20 and 46 have been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said.