ITN
Policewoman shot on duty
Policewoman shot on duty
A woman police officer has undergone emergency surgery after being seriously injured during a shooting in Nottingham. The incident occurred shortly before midnight at Lenton Boulevard, Lenton, when probationer Rachael Bown, 25, accompanied by a male colleague, attended reports of a burglary. They stopped a man who fired shots at Ms Bown which hit her lower abdomen. Ms Bown has been transferred to intensive care at the Queen's Medical Centre after undergoing emergency surgery. She was shot below the body armour she had been wearing, police confirmed. A police spokesman said: 'Two officers, an experienced city-based male officer and a female probation officer, attempted to stop a male nearby. The suspect produced a firearm and shot one of the officers.' Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Marcus Beale said: 'This is an extremely serious incident and has been a terrible shock for this officer's family. 'Officers are clearly very concerned about their colleague and we are 100 per cent committed to finding and apprehending the offender as soon as possible.' Asked about the probationary officer, Mr Beale replied: 'In the police service, when people initially join, there is a huge amount for them to learn. Not only the law, but all the issues around the interpersonal skills that are necessary. 'That normally takes round about two years before, if you like, they become fully fledged. Rachael was just approaching the end of that period.' Large parts of the Lenton and Radford are closed off for forensic examinations and drivers being warned to stay away from the area completely while traffic is being diverted onto Derby and Alfreton roads. Last year two gangland thugs were convicted of murdering innocent schoolgirl Danielle Beccan, 14, in a drive-by shooting in the city in October 2004. And in September 2003, 64-year-old Nottingham jeweller Marian Bates was shot and killed during an armed raid.
ITN | February 14, 2006
