Woman shot for mobile phone

A woman has been shot in the head by a man who was trying to steal her mobile phone.

The 19-year-old is in a serious condition in hospital with a suspected fractured skull following the shooting on New Year's Day.

She had been visiting family in Walthamstow, east London when she was shot once in the head at 1730 GMT.

The Metropolitan Police said they believed the attacker had already stolen the phone when he shot the woman.

It looks at this stage as though she was shot after he already had the phone

DS Grant Powell

Detective Sergeant Grant Powell of the Flying Squad called the crime "horrific".

"This lady was walking down the road when she was approached by a man who asked her for her mobile phone.

"She struggled with him briefly and the phone was taken from her.

"It looks at this stage as though she was shot after he already had the phone.

"She is seriously ill in hospital but she has been conscious and we have been able to talk to her, although not at length.

"She just remembers hearing a bang and then a pain in her head."

Busy street

As the woman, who lives in the area, lay on the pavement, a neighbour came to her aid after hearing the shot.

The woman was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The shooting happened in busy Lea Bridge Road and police believe someone may have seen the gunman escaping.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5ft 6ins tall. He was wearing a black skull cap, silver bracelet, dark top and black trousers.

Mobile warning

Police are also interested in speaking to the driver of a white Metro style vehicle seen near the incident.

Roads near the scene were closed off while police carried out searches.

The weapon used was a handgun but officers have yet to establish what calibre.

Mobile phone thefts are an increasing problem for police in London and are targeted in more than a third of robberies in the capital.

Police have advised mobile users not to make calls in the street.