A police community support officer was shot at while on a routine patrol to check on suspected gangs in Hackney, it was revealed today.
The officer was part of a local beat team investigating rival gangs in the Pembury Road area last Saturday.
Officers had broken up two rival groups when a gun was fired at the PCSO at around 8.20pm. No-one was injured. Four men, aged between 20 and 26, and a 15-year-old youth were arrested and later bailed.
No weapons have been recovered.
Scotland Yard said extra patrols had been deployed in the area which is notorious for feuding gangs on rival estates.
A spokesman said : “Officers on routine patrol in Hackney observed two men acting suspiciously as they approached another group of men. Upon seeing police, the groups dispersed.
“At about 8.20pm on Saturday, 5 April a firearm was discharged towards a PCSO in the vicinity of Pembury Road. There were no reported injuries.”
Detectives from the Trident Gang Crime Command are investigating.
