Armed police at shopping centre after shooting

Armed police attended a shopping centre this afternoon following reports of a shooting.

Officers from West Midlands Police were called to outside the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham at about 2.18pm.

A spokeswoman for the force said a 19-year-old man sustained a gunshot injury to his leg and is being treated in hospital.

His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

The spokeswoman said a number of scenes inside and outside the Bullring had been closed off while inquires continued.

She added: "Another man, aged 26, has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently receiving hospital treatment for facial injuries."

Eyewitnesses told the Birmingham Mail there appeared to be a confrontation between two groups of youths in the area between Mango and Selfridges inside the shopping centre.

Thousands of shoppers turned out at the popular shopping destination this morning.

More than 25,000 visitors passed through the Bullring's doors before 12pm to take advantage of the Christmas discounts.

Many of the shops in the centre are thought to have remained open while police investigated the incident, with trading coming to a close at 5pm.

An ambulance, a rapid response motorcycle paramedic and an incident support officer from West Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene at the centre.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "On arrival at the scene, crews found a man who was being treated by security staff for a gunshot wound to the upper leg.

"The man, believed to be 19 years old, received further treatment at the scene by ambulance staff and was transferred by ambulance to hospital for further emergency treatment.

"A second man, who was also in the vicinity of the Bullring Shopping Centre, but in a different location, was found with facial injuries.

"Despite ambulance staff advice, the man refused any treatment for his injuries. The man was left with the police at the scene."