Arrests in 'hero' shooting probe

Adam Mapleson was shot in the robbery

Detectives investigating the attempted murder of a commuter who tried to thwart an armed robbery have made four arrests in a series of dawn raids.

Adam Mapleson, 24, was hailed a hero by British Transport Police after he was shot in the chest by a gang at Rayleigh railway station, Essex, in May, 2007.

He intervened as a guard and her colleague were held at gunpoint.

Three men and a woman were arrested in the raids across Essex and London, in connection with a string of robberies.

More than 150 officers from British Transport Police, Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police, including armed officers, took part in the operation, which saw three addresses raided simultaneously, at about 0400 BST, police said.

A 61-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were arrested in Dagenham, east London, a 35-year-old man in Canning Town, east London, and a 49-year-old man in Canvey Island, Essex.

They have been taken to police stations in Essex and are being interviewed.

Det Supt Michael Field, who is leading the Rayleigh inquiry, said: "We have been working closely with Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police on this joint inquiry over many months.

"Throughout we have been keeping the victims, the security guard who was threatened and Mr Mapleson, updated on the progress that has been made."