The Ladbroke Grove shooting at police by gunmen in a stolen car in broad daylight has left residents and traders nervous.

Three men opened fire on police at Wednesday afternoon at 3.17pm as officers chased the stolen silver Audi A6 through the streets around Westbourne Grove bus garage in Great Western Road, North Kensington.

After crashing into a waiting police car, the three gunmen were then chased through the streets as children were about to leave nearby schools on one of their last days before the Christmas break. 

Mary Amayo, of Westbourne Green, walked down Bourne Terrace just after the shooting and found the area around Senior Street had been closed down by the police.

She said: "I just thought, not again. It's getting right out of hand. People are going around with guns. A lot of people are terrified. What is happening to Westbourne Green?"

Chief Inspector Jane Connors, of Westminster police, thanked locals for their help and support in giving information and moved to quell growing fears. She said: "The message is that it is an exceptionally rare occurance for anyone to take shots in the street. It doesn't happen very often.

"The officers involved, who are every day Paddington police officers, were extremely brave."

Ch Insp Connors went on to add that gun crime is falling in Westminster and - despite a series of serious incidents in Westbourne Green in recent months, including an 83-year-old woman being sexually assaulted - such severe incidents are "few and far between."

Three men have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.