Gunfire Rocks North London Police Chase
Chaos erupted on Thursday, 18 March, as armed suspects opened fire on plain-clothed Met cops in Colindale’s Grahame Park Estate. At around 7.10pm, ten officers from the North West Violence Suppression Unit were responding to reports of a large gathering when six local men bolted at their approach.
The officers gave chase on foot — and that’s when shots rang out. One suspect reportedly fired multiple rounds towards the unarmed officers. Miraculously, no one was hurt, but the incident left police shaken.
Massive Police Hunt Underway
Armed response teams and extra resources swarmed the scene following the gunfire. The area was locked down under a Section 60 order, giving officers wider search powers until 9am the next day. Residents likely noticed the heavy police presence overnight.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime North Command are now hunting the suspects. They believe the group of six men used extreme violence to evade capture.
Police Plea: Help Us Catch These Armed Fugitives
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Alger said: “Violence against our officers will not be tolerated. This split-second shooting could have turned into a murder investigation. No officer should fear not returning home. We need the public’s help to find those responsible.”
If you saw anything, or have dashcam, doorcam, or CCTV footage, contact the Met or Crimestoppers anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111. Quote incident CAD6602/18MAR.
Rising Violence Against Police a Growing Concern
- 7,140 assaults on Met officers recorded in the last year – up 19.1%
- Such attacks have severe physical and psychological impacts on officers
- One man, 49, arrested nearby for firearm possession, assaulting an emergency worker, and cannabis possession, but not linked to main suspects
Detectives urge witnesses or anyone with info to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC. This violent shooting marks a grim reminder of the dangers faced by those keeping London safe on the streets.
