The police commander for Norwich has moved to reassure the local community there is not believed to be a wider risk to the public as officers hunt for a gunman who shot a teenager in a city park.
Officers were called to Adelaide Street at approximately 2am after local residents reporting hearing an altercation followed by a gunshot.
Units, including armed response officers, arrived on scene to find a man with a gunshot wound to his back. The victim, a 19-year-old from London, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for treatment. He remains in a serious condition although his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
It is the first time a firearm has been discharged in a public area in the city.
The incident happened in a wooded area cornered by Adelaide Street and West End Street which has been sealed off while police carry out enquiries.
Superintendent Terry Lordan said: 'Detectives are in the early stages of the investigation, however this appears to be an isolated incident and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the public.
'We are exploring several lines of inquiry, including whether the incident is connected to illegal drug activity.
'I understand this incident will naturally cause concern in the community but I would like to reassure local residents that incidents of this nature involving firearms are very rare in the county.
'I have officers which will be providing some reassurance in and around the area and if local residents have concerns please approach one of them.'
Supt Lordan added the park on West End Street has not seen significant levels of crime.
'The area where this incident has occurred we have seen no increase in terms of crime or anti-social behaviour, and the area has not been a local SNAP priority,' he said.
'The area in question is not one where we have seen any significant calls for service. I understand people have raised concerns and we will be speaking to members of the community to address them.'
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Norfolk Police on 101 quoting CAD reference 23 of today.
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