The police and crime commissioner for Norfolk has said he 'doesn't recognise' the county following a shooting at a Norwich park.

Eastern Daily Press: Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPolice and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

A 19-year-old London teenager is in hospital with serious injuries after being shot in the back overnight at a park around West End Street and Adelaide Street.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green said the incident was 'mercifully very rare', and the rate of gun crime was so low he did not know of an incident in Norfolk when armed officers have had to shoot anyone.

He said: 'Those officers have to make split second decisions when they are confronted with a firearm, which may be real or imitation. This kind of incident is so rare in the county it is hard to believe.

'This is the ninth safest county in the country, and even when you hear about knife crime it is often concentrated within a certain section of our society.

'Of course if there is drug dealing going on in your area it is unpleasant because it is not just the threat it poses - I know the impact anti-social behaviour and drug dealing has which is bad for everybody.

'When I hear of isolated incidents like this I ask myself is this really our county because I don't recognise it on these very rare occasions.'