Shotgun robbers missed woman who ducked in east London raid

Armed robbers fired a shotgun at a woman as she sat terrified in a car after collecting her company's takings, police revealed today.

The 22-year-old woman amazingly escaped serious injury after she ducked just as the gun was fired.

The woman had just picked up the day's taking from her company in east London when she returned to her car and noticed about 20 men "hanging around."

She jumped in and locked the doors as two men approached who tried to open the doors before banging on the windows.

One then produced a shotgun and fired a blast at the woman at close range through the window of the car parked in Ivy Road, Canning Town.

The men then ran off after the incident at 5.30pm on Monday.

The victim was taken to hospital with wounds to the back of the head. She is said to be stable.

POlice are hunting two suspects, both black and aged 18 to 20. The gunman was wearing a red and white scarf and a black hoody.

The second man had a short afro hair cut and short facial hair. He was wearing a dark blue adidas tracksuit with light blue stripes.

Detective Sergeant Steve Desmond, from Operation Trident, said: "This is a very serious incident, where an innocent women could have so easily lost her life over such a small amount of money.

"She was very fortunate not to have been injured more seriously, but the next person might not be so lucky. Therefore, I urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.