Police officer hospitalized following shooting in Nottingham city center
Two suspects a man and a woman fled the scene after being stopped shortly before an alleged shooting occurred at 4:50 AM.
Police have recovered a sawed-off shotgun, but the suspects remain at large.
A cordon has been set up on Angel Row, near the Nottingham City Council building, where this "shocking incident" took place.
In a video obtained by the Daily Mail, the officer can be seen collapsing against the entrance of a Taco Bell fast-food restaurant, while a bystander holds up his bare foot.
Bouncers stood nearby before several police officers arrived at the scene. Traffic came to a complete standstill following the incident.
The police officer is currently receiving treatment in the hospital for a gunshot wound to his foot.
He had stopped the suspects early this morning when they opened fire in Nottingham city center.
Several marked police vehicles remain at the scene, and traffic cones have been placed around potential pieces of evidence lying on the road.
The cordon has been extended to St James's Street, and officers continue to patrol the area.
Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, wrote on X: "My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family following this deeply concerning incident. We all wish him a full and speedy recovery." The Police Federation of England and Wales also expressed its best wishes for the officer.
In a social media post, it stated: "This is a stark reminder of the dangers that police officers face every single day while protecting the public.
"Their bravery and dedication to duty should never be taken for granted."
Near the scene where the officer was shot, anxious shoppers remarked today that "no one feels safe here anymore," warning that Nottingham "has become a terrifying place."
This harsh assessment of the city emerged as forensic experts on Angel Row recovered a shortened shotgun believed to be the weapon used to fire upon the male officer.
Local resident Jenny Mills said: "It is shocking that an officer was shot while on patrol. It is fortunate that it did not prove fatal.
"Years ago, Nottingham was known as the 'gun capital' of the country earning the nickname 'Shottingham' but it had since become a safer and better place to live.
"However, in recent times, it has taken a turn for the worse, and crime is on the rise."
The 45-year-old office worker added: "I would never come into the city centre at night; I wouldn't feel safe only during the day.
"No one feels safe here anymore. It has become a terrifying place."
Another shopper, who identified herself as Natalie, said: "It is deeply distressing to hear that a police officer has been shot. If people are going around opening fire on police officers, what hope is there for the rest of us?" 'Gang culture is very prevalent here, and the area is rapidly becoming dangerous.'
The shooting took place early in the morning on one of the busiest streets in the heart of the city.
The location overlooks the Town Hall and the marketplace, where work was underway today to set up a large ice rink for the city’s Christmas market, which is due to open next month.
Pubs and fast-food outlets typically packed with customers on a Sunday remained closed due to a police cordon.
One pub manager, who arrived for his shift unaware of the dramatic events that had unfolded hours earlier, expressed his "shock" after police informed him of what had happened.
He told the *Daily Mail*: "They said there had been a shooting, an officer had been injured, and that the area would remain cordoned off for several hours.
"There are many businesses on this street, and we are all suffering losses.
"Today would have been one of the busiest days for pubs and eateries, as Nottingham Forest is playing a home match against Arsenal later this afternoon."
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "I was shocked by the shooting near my pub, and I feel for the officer who was hurt."
He noted that, just a month ago, a food delivery cyclist had been stabbed by a thief who then stole his bike.
The man who was among the crowd of onlookers observing the heavy police presence in the city added: "I know a bit about weapons, and it looked like a 12-gauge shotgun that had been shortened by cutting down the barrel and the stock.
"I suspect this was a random attack on an officer who was likely on a routine patrol early in the morning the kind of shift that follows a busy Saturday night.
"He almost certainly stopped the suspects as part of a routine check; I don’t believe he was acting on specific intelligence, as that would have triggered a fully armed response." In the early 2000s, Nottingham was a hub for gun crime; the City Council even appointed a 'reputation manager' to dispel the perception that the area was plagued by armed criminal gangs.
These crimes included the February 2006 shooting of trainee PC Rachel Bown, who was struck in the abdomen after arriving at the scene of a burglary. She retired from the force on medical grounds in 2010.
Prior to this, in October 2004, a teenager named Danielle Beccan was killed in a drive-by shooting while returning home from a fair.
Additionally, in October 2003, shopkeeper Marian Bates was shot and killed while defending her daughter, Xanthe, during a robbery at their jewelry store.
As of this month, the crime rate in Nottingham stands at 1.4 per 1,000 people which is 143 percent of the national crime rate.
Last week, a gunman who attempted to flee after shooting a rival in the foot was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
34-year-old Qumai Nugent had arrived at a party in the St Ann’s area east of the city center carrying two loaded pistols, before tracking down his target and opening fire.
As terrified bystanders fled into the night, nearby response officers rushed to the scene on Lowdham Street, where they discovered Nugent struggling on the ground with his victim. During a scuffle in the early hours of June 2, 2024, unarmed officers discovered one of Nugent’s guns on the ground and bravely moved to secure the weapon.
While contending with several agitated bystanders, Nugent managed to flee the scene; however, he was subsequently arrested following a pursuit and a public appeal.
The weapon used in the shooting identified as a .44-caliber pistol based on a bullet recovered from the victim’s foot was never recovered.
Nevertheless, traces of Nugent’s DNA were found within the internal mechanism of another discarded firearm a clear indication that he had personally assembled and loaded it.
Nugent, who is of no fixed abode, later pleaded guilty to two charges: causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offense. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday.
Offenses involving the possession of weapons account for 1.3 percent of all crimes reported within the postcode area.
The total number of weapon possession offenses stood at 1,700, representing a 2.3 percent year-on-year decrease.
Assistant Chief Constable Claire Roxburgh of Nottinghamshire Police stated: "This was a deeply concerning incident that unfolded in the presence of the public, and we acknowledge the impact it must have had on those who witnessed it.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the individuals who immediately stepped in to assist the officer before additional emergency responders arrived." "The injured officer is currently receiving treatment in the hospital; our thoughts are with the officer, their family, friends, and colleagues at this time.
"We also understand that this incident will cause concern among those who live, work, or visit the city centre.
"However, I would like to reassure the public that a team of experienced detectives is making rapid progress in identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice.
"Incidents of this nature are extremely rare, and there is currently no information to suggest any wider risk to the public.
"We also want to reassure the community that there will be an increased police presence in the area, and officers will be available to speak with anyone who has concerns."
She added that public safety remains the 'top priority' for Nottinghamshire Police and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 106 from 18 October 2026.
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