Police Appeal To Witness Of Shooting

1 February 2013, 16:35 | Updated: 1 February 2013, 16:43

Detectives investigating a shooting in Luton are making a direct appeal for a driver who was forced to do an emergency stop at the time to come forward.

It is believed the man was driving a silver estate car on Russell Street at 2.07pm as the shooting happened.

A 36 year old woman had to be taken to hospital after shrapnel became embedded in her hand.

Officers from the Local Policing Team are continuing to speak with residents in the area to provide reassurance and detectives from the Major Crime Unit launched an investigation immediately, under the code name Operation Reclamation.

Detectives continue to piece together the background to the incident and believe the victim was with her partner and had driven along Russell Street and turned in to Wellington Street. They then turned their vehicle around and returned to the road junction where her partner was involved in an argument with two men before the shooting took place.

The victim and her partner are believed to have driven off as the shots were fired at their vehicle and at this point the driver of the silver estate car had to perform an emergency stop.

Leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Ruth Dodsworth, is urging this motorist to contact the incident room and speak with officers.

DI Dodsworth said: “The driver of the silver estate car has nothing to fear. I would reassure him that he is not in any trouble but he could hold vital information that may help this inquiry.

“I would also continue to appeal to anyone who can help identify the two black men who ran from the scene towards Stanley Street; one wearing black sunglasses and a hat and the other wearing a hat with ear flaps, to come forward and assist with this investigation.”

If you are the driver of the silver estate car or if you have information that could help this investigation you can contact detectives in the Operation Reclamation incident room directly on 01707 355959, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, in confidence, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.