Trident Cops Hunt Gunman

Officers from a specialised London police unit are appealing for witnesses and information after a shooting in Dagenham last weekend.

Operation Trident detectives said today that the police were called at 11.25pm on Saturday 31 July to a man shot in Maxey Road, Dagenham.

The 23-year-old black man was taken by ambulance to an east London hospital with gunshot injuries where his condition was said to be serious but stable.

It thought that the victim might have been in the rear of a silver BMW, which had pulled over in the street, or was possibly in the process of the leaving the car, when he was shot.

It is understood a single suspect in possession of a handgun was involved and he then made off.

The assailant is being described as a black man in his 20s.

Two men in their 20s were arrested in the vicinity in connection with the inquiry and taken to separate east London police stations.

They were later bailed to return in early September pending inquiries.

Now, any witnesses or anyone with other information is being asked to call the team on Trident - which is a Metropolitan Police Service unit dealing with gun crime in London's black community.

They can call officers DS Paul Lofts or DC John Braney at the Trident North East Shootings Team on 020-8217 7382, or, if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(BMcC/GK)