Appeal Following Armed Robbery In Canning Town

Detectives from Trident are continuing to appeal for information following an attempted armed robbery in Canning Town during which a shot was fired.

Two men from Canning Town were arrested in connection with the incident and bailed to return to an east London police station on Wednesday 16 March pending further enquires. Officers have stressed that any witnesses or anyone with information should come forward.

Police were called at approximately 5.30pm on Monday 21 February following reports of shots fired at a woman sitting in her car on Ivy Road in east London.

The 22-year-old woman, carrying a day's takings for a local company, was returning to her car after visiting an address on the street when she noticed a group of approximately 20 men loitering around the area.

As she continued getting into her car, two of the men, believed to be from the group, approached her vehicle. The woman managed to lock her car doors, preventing the men from gaining access to her vehicle. Both suspects then began banging on the glass windows, before Suspect one discharged a shotgun at the woman through the car window.

The suspects, including the large group of men, then ran down the alley in Ivy Road which leads to Butchers Row.

The victim was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital with a small wound to the back of the head. She has been discharged from hospital.

Both suspects are described as black men aged between 18-20 years-old.

Suspect one was wearing a red and white scarf and a black hooded top.

Suspect two had a short afro-style hair cut and short facial hair. He was wearing a dark blue Adidas tracksuit with light blue stripes.

The Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Steve Desmond, from Trident, said: "This is a very serious incident, where an innocent woman could have so easily lost her life over such a small amount of money. She was very fortunate not to have been injured more seriously, but the next person might not be so lucky. Therefore, I urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to police."

(BMcN/GK)