Met Police detectives are appealing for information and witnesses after a man was shot during a gathering of people in Mitcham, leaving him hospitalised.

The 24-year-old man was found suffering from a gunshot wound on London Road, and was rushed to hospital where his condition is believed to be critical but stable.

It is believed the victim had just left a large gathering in the nearby London Road Playing Field, and officers are now appealing for information and witnesses of the shooting to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Jo Ross, of Specialist Crime, said: “A young man is seriously injured and I am asking anyone who has any information, no matter how unimportant it may seem, to come forward.

“I know that someone out there knows the person responsible for this. Please don’t stay silent and help this person hide.

“If anyone has any footage of the incident or the event, please share it with us and help us piece together what happened so we can bring the person responsible to justice.”

In a statement, police said they were "called by the London Ambulance Service at 3:18am on Sunday, June 21, to the Baron Court Area in London Road, Mitcham.

Rushing to reports of a shooting, officers found a 24-year-old man suffering from a gunshot injury.

"Detectives believe he had been attending a gathering in nearby London Road Playing Field, Mitcham when he was shot.

"The man was taken to hospital, where his condition at this stage is believed to be critical but stable.

"Officers are appealing for information following the shooting.

"At this stage there have been no arrests. Enquiries into the circumstances continue."

Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, from the South West Basic Command Unit, also spoke out about a "busy weekend across south west London with a number of unlicensed music events and groups of people gathering in parks and open spaces, which, in some cases, led to crime and anti-social behaviour."

She said: “We are still in the midst of a pandemic and we are trying our hardest to keep everyone safe.

"I’d like to thank you the overwhelming majority of residents who have followed Government advice and restrictions. A number of people have continued to put themselves and others at risk by gathering in large groups.

“We have listened to the concerns residents have raised through social media as well as local councillors and MPs.

"We are working hard to address them, and will continue to work with communities. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have put a flexible policing plan in place to anticipate and respond to calls for our assistance.

"This is reviewed regularly as our circumstances and the picture changes. We are continuing to work on a plan for the coming days and weeks, together with our partners.”

Witnesses or those with information are asked to call 101 or Tweet ref CAD 1812/21 June. Or people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org