Man shot with airgun

Police believe the victim was hit by a pellet from an airgun

A man walking to catch a bus has been shot in the head with an airgun.

The 53-year-old was walking to a bus stop in Northern Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, when he was knocked to the ground by a pellet.

A security guard from a nearby shop helped the victim, who had blood pouring from a wound, walk to the local police station.

He was then taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, where a pellet was found lodged in the back of his head.

Bus passengers appeal

It is likely to have been fired from an airgun, police said.

But Hampshire police constable Stuart Vaughan said: "This could however have turned out to be a very serious incident and we are appealing for witnesses."

But they added the victim's injuries are not life-threatening.

In particular, detectives would like to hear from passengers on the 1C bus that was waiting at the bus stop in Northern Road at the time of the shooting at about 0930 BST on Wednesday.

They are also trying to trace the security guard who came to the man's assistance.