Two officers hospitalised after being threatened with suspected firearm
Two men have been arrested after a struggle left two officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Violent Crime Taskforce with hand injuries.
A man has been charged after threatening Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Violent Crime taskforce officers with what is believed to be a firearm.
Nanikutomisa Mpelenda, was charged on Saturday (August 18) with two counts of assault on police officers, possession of a firearm with criminal intent, obstructing a drugs search and driving while uninsured.
The 25-year-old has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on September 14.
A 23-year-old man who was arrested at the scene has been released under investigation.
At around 4.30pm on Thursday (August 16) officers stopped a vehicle on Romford Road in Manor Park and went to speak to the two males inside.
The men suddenly got out of the vehicle and a struggle ensued, which resulted in a female officer suffering a broken hand and a male officer suffering ligament damage to his hand, requiring surgery.
The men then threatened the officers with what is believed to be a firearm.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene and a 23-year-old man who ran away from the scene was arrested following a search of nearby gardens.
Detective Superintendent Sean Yates said: “This incident once again demonstrates the bravery of Met officers, who have acted with the utmost professionalism in a difficult situation.
“Acting on instinct when approaching a suspicious car, they were confronted with two aggressive men who have intimated that they were armed. The officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward.”
