A vicar today told of the “extraordinary” moment armed police stormed a church garden party as they hunted for a man who had been spotted firing a gun.
Officers carrying sub-machine guns were sent to Saint Alfege Church, in Greenwich, yesterday morning after a member of the public heard gunshots.
Reverend Chris Moody, who had just finished his Sunday sermon and was hosting the fund-raiser for Christian Aid, said: “The police just dashed through our courtyard with their guns and ran into the park. It was extraordinary.”
“We didn’t have any communication with the police or prior warning at all. There was a crowd of people outside the church because we had just finished the service.”
Other guests described “surreal” scenes reminiscent of Midsomer Murders.
Robert Gray, 58, owner of the Number Sixteen bed and breakfast, said: “We were having cream tea in the churchyard and I saw a huge flashing light of the police car drive down the road and park by my B&B.
“I was next to the vicar’s wife Jill when two big men in black clothing came bursting in.
“I said to her: ‘look at that’ but she didn’t see it and was almost knocked over by the police man with the huge machine gun.”
Mr Gray, who has appeared on the Channel Four programme Hotel Inspector, said: “Greenwich is a bit like London in the country.
“So there was a country fair going on with all these armed police bursting in like the film Hot Fuzz or Midsomer Murders.
“And nobody batted an eyelid. It was just a great example of a British stiff upper lip.
“There was no hysteria. People just carried on drinking their tea.”
He added: “I understand a man had been shooting into bushes.
"Someone called the police and they turned up straight away."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called by a member of the public at approximately 11.30am on Sunday who has reported hearing a gun shot in Trafalgar Road.
“Officers, including armed officers, attended the scene and a man was identified and arrested in Saint Alfege Park.
“The man, aged 49, has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or alarm. He remains in custody. A firearm was recovered.”
