An 11-year-old child has been taken to hospital after being shot while playing in Loxford Park, Ilford, at 4.30pm this afternoon.

A man in his 20s was also injured in the shooting, which happened at the playground in Loxford Lane.

An eyewitness told the Recorder that she called the police, after seeing a man shoot somebody “with a big gun” outside Loxford Park.

She said: “It was very scary, I saw it outside the window. He had a big gun, like one that the army would have.

“I hid behind the till, I was so scared. I have never seen anything like it.”

Emergency services were called to Loxford Lane at 4.30pm to reports of an incident.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman stated the man and boy have been taken to an east London hospital with gunshot wounds.

The man’s injuries were described as serious while the boy’s were non-life threatening. Both parties were unknown to each other.

An ambulance crew also attended, along with two single responders in cars, and a London air ambulance.

The police have now closed off Loxford Lane from the junction with Fairway Gardens to the park entrance.

Det Con Ryan Hunter said: “Until we establish the full facts we have to keep the crime scene as large as possible. When we understand what happened we will begin opening up the road.”

He added there were no fatalities.

There have been no arrests, and Redbridge police are currently leading the investigation.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Did you see anything? Call the newsdesk on 07557 232077/0208 477 3826 or email rosaleen.fenton@archant.co.uk.