Two police officers were attacked by burglars and later threatened with a pointed gun after foiling a late-night phone shop burglary in Peckham.
The officers were on patrol when they chanced upon a burglary taking place at a phone shop on Rye Lane, at around 1.20am on Wednesday morning. The two officers intervened and attempted to detain the two suspects inside the shop and a third waiting outside on a moped.
One suspect, aged 24, was detained, but the other two got on the moped and began to circle the officers.
They made threats and started punching and kicking the officers – who called in for urgent assistance – before driving off as their accomplice attempted to run away.
As the moped made a getaway, the officers chased the suspect on foot. Minutes later he was tasered and bundled into a police van as back-up arrived.
Before the suspect was taken into custody, officers in the van stopped at an address in Croydon to carry out a search. While on their way back to the station, two males on a moped pulled up alongside the van and pointed a firearm at officers – though it is still unconfirmed whether these were the same two burglars from Rye Lane.
Police drove away from the scene and say they are urgently investigating to identity the suspects involved in the incident. No shots were fired and no officers were seriously injured.
Simon Messinger, Central South Area Commander, said: “Fortunately the officers only received minor injuries and, thanks to the rapid support of colleagues, one of the suspects was detained. However, two suspects remain outstanding, and these are clearly reckless and dangerous individuals.”
Call Trident officers on 101 or message via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 412/29AUG, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.