Investigators recover '˜non-police weapon' after officers shoot man in South Shields street

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating after armed officers shot the man in Frenchmans Way in South Shields at around 1.30am this morning.

  A spokesman said: “A 24-year-old man sustained an injury to his chest and is in a critical but stable condition in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. A non-police weapon has been recovered from the scene.”

  IPCC commissioner Carl Gumsley said: “It is important that any incident in which a police firearm discharge results in serious injury or death is independently investigated. Our investigation will thoroughly examine all the

circumstances surrounding this incident.”

   IPCC investigators have been conducting house to house enquiries during the day and overseeing forensic scene examinations. They said cordons will remain in place at the scene while this work continues.

  The agency is appealing for anyone who saw or heard any part of the incident to come forward with information to assist the enquiries.

  The IPCC can be contacted via telephone on 0800 015 4877 or [email protected].