A police officer remains in a stable condition in hospital after being shot in the foot in Nottingham city centre in the early hours of Sunday, and four people have since been arrested as detectives probe the discharge of a firearm.
Nottinghamshire Police said the officer was struck by a projectile believed to have been fired from a shotgun after approaching two suspects at about 4.50am on Sunday on Angel Row. The two suspects fled the scene, prompting a nationwide search.
Arrests made as investigation continues
By Monday, four people were in custody and being questioned. Police identified those arrested as:
- a 27‑year‑old woman held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life;
- a 24‑year‑old man and a 25‑year‑old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender after police stopped a car in Nottingham’s Radford area;
- a 30‑year‑old man detained on suspicion of assisting an offender after a vehicle was stopped in Bedfordshire in the early hours of Monday.
| Age | Gender | Suspected offence | Location detained |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Female | GBH with intent; possession of firearm with intent to endanger life | Nottingham |
| 24 | Male | Assisting an offender (suspected) | Radford, Nottingham |
| 25 | Female | Assisting an offender (suspected) | Radford, Nottingham |
| 30 | Male | Assisting an offender (suspected) | Bedfordshire |
Nottinghamshire assistant chief constable Claire Rukas described the incident as “appalling” and said a team of experienced detectives were working to establish the full circumstances before, during and after the shooting.
“A team of experienced detectives continues to work tirelessly to establish exactly what happened before, during and after this appalling incident. I am pleased that four arrests have now been made and hope this provides some reassurance to the public as those detained are questioned in connection with the discharge of the firearm.”
She added that the injured officer was receiving support from colleagues and loved ones and asked that his privacy be respected while he recovered.
Implications for policing and public safety
The use of a shotgun against a police officer in a city centre is a serious escalation that will prompt questions about firearms availability and the protection of frontline officers. Police forces across the country routinely balance public engagement with officer safety, but incidents involving firearms, however rare, intensify scrutiny of operational tactics and intelligence-sharing.
Officers say that incidents involving firearms often result in immediate, large‑scale searches and mutual aid across force boundaries; the report that a nationwide search was launched indicates co‑ordinated, multi‑force activity. The arrest of people in two different counties — Nottinghamshire and Bedfordshire — underlines the cross‑border nature of the inquiry.
There are immediate criminal justice processes to follow. Those detained remain in custody while detectives undertake interviews and gather forensic evidence. If the investigation establishes that the weapon was used with intent to cause serious injury, prosecutors may consider charges reflecting the gravity of the offence.
The force has appealed for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage to come forward to assist the inquiry.
Public reassurance and the next steps
Assistant chief constable Rukas said the arrests may provide reassurance to the public, but investigators continue to work to establish the full facts. The injured officer’s condition has been described as stable; the force has underlined support for the officer’s family and colleagues and urged privacy.
As the inquiry progresses, attention will fall on the evidence the prosecution builds and on whether further charges or arrests follow. For now, the case has underscored the risks faced by officers in the line of duty and renewed focus on how forces respond to incidents involving firearms.
