A MAN has been arrested after being shot by a police officer in Worcester.

A 31-year-old was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

He remains in police custody while currently in hospital.

It follows an incident where a man was shot in the leg by an armed police officer near the city's Ronkswood Hill and Newtown Road at about 9am on Saturday (October 2).

The police were responding to reports that someone had a rifle.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) who will carry out an independent investigation into the incident and the discharge of a police firearm.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones said earlier: “This is an extremely unusual incident for our policing area.

"We understand that the local community and wider area will be shocked by the events in Ronkswood Hill this morning.

She continued: “We do not believe there to be any wider threat to the local community and we have referred this to our Professional Standards Department (PSD) and the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to review.”

“It is standard procedure that incidents of this nature are referred to our PSD and the IOPC and we will now work with them as they carry out their enquiries.”