Gunman on the run after policewoman shot in Hyde Park

Police launch urgent appeal after a female police officer is shot on Cardigan Road


A manhunt is underway after a female police officer was shot on Cardigan Road, Hyde Park.

A policewoman was shot and injured after two officers attended a routine call of disturbance at around 4am, West Yorkshire police said.

They were confronted by a man who fired upon them.

The female officer is being treated in hospital but her injuries are not thought to be serious. Her male colleague was not injured in the incident.

Police are trying to trace James Leslie in relation to the incident

Police are urgently trying to trace James Leslie, aged 37, of Cardigan Road in connection with the shooting.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Dodd said: “West Yorkshire Police are appealing to Mr Leslie to hand himself in as soon as possible. The Police are actively seeking Mr Leslie and the public should be reassured that every effort is being made to safely locate him. Additional patrols will be seen in the area.”

He added: “The public should not approach Mr Leslie but ring 999, if they see him or know where he may be.”

Mr Leslie is described as a white man, bald on top and wearing a white coloured t-shirt as well as a black coloured waist length zip up hooded top.

He was last seen on a bicycle heading towards Victoria Road away from Cardigan Road.

Update: Police have now arrested a 37 year old man in connection with the Hyde Park shooting.

The shooting took place on Cardigan road

The area is currently sealed off and a police helicopter is hovering overhead in a bid to find the gunman nearby.

The shooting is the second big police incident in Hyde Park this term, after a man was murdered in November.

Mwila Chitalu was found in Brudenell Road the morning after attending a house party in Ash Grove.

Students were arrested in connection with the crime but no charges have been brought and police are still investigating.

Police are still investigating an unrelated murder on Brudenell road