A Harrow MP says he wants the man who opened fire on police in Wealdstone “caught and locked away” as soon as possible.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, also praised officers for their brave attempts to tackle the gunman, despite being unarmed.

“We have got to prioritise catching this guy. I want him caught and locked away,” he said.

“But you’ve got to admire the bravery of the police officers – just phenomenal courage – all the more for having the guts to run at him.

“My first response was pride and gratitude towards the officers but I also felt concern for the local people.”

The three officers were fired at as they sat in a marked police car on Gladstone Way in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Despite their courageous efforts to apprehend the gunman, he managed to flee the scene.

Mr Thomas said this incident highlighted the need for extra policing resources in Harrow.

“You can never be complacent – one gun crime is way too many,” he said.

“It is a concern that there is the level of drug activity there is in Wealdstone.

“This incident has underlined the need for Harrow to retain its own police command. I strongly think you risk having police diverted to other boroughs if that is taken away.”

Police were originally called to reports of a man seen in possession of a firearm in Byron Road at around 12.30am.

If you have any information please contact the investigation team via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.