Neighbours tell of shock after man shot in legs

Dec 12 2006 By Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

Armed police were called after a man was shot in the legs yesterday.

Officers were called to River View in Tynemouth, near Knotts Flats, after members of the public reported the sound of gunshots shortly after midnight.

When police arrived, they found a man had been shot in the legs.

He was in a serious condition at North Tyneside General Hospital.

Police later arrested one man, who was being questioned last night.

A police spokesman said: "A man is receiving treatment at hospital for suspected gunshot wounds to the leg. Another man was subsequently arrested in relation to this matter and he is in custody at North Shields police station.

"We would appeal for any witnesses to contact us as soon as possible."

The area of the shooting was still sealed off, while police worked to piece together events.

People living in the residential area, which is home to the Sir James Knott Memorial Nursery School, told of their shock.

One pensioner, who preferred not to be named, said: "It's terrible, it's supposed to be safe round here, but it's obviously not. I can't believe someone has been knee-capped in my street. There are crime problems in the flats across the way, but it's normally quiet here.

"It's a good job it didn't happen during the day because there is a school just across the way and there are usually lots of children around."

A dad taking his daughter to the nursery said: "It's frightening the amount of gun crime around here these days.

"It's lucky it wasn't during the day because a child could have been hurt or killed."