MANDEVILLE, Manchester – A police constable was shot and injured during a confrontation with armed criminals in the Downs community of south Manchester early Sunday, police say.

Reports say a mini-mart in the area was broken into and residents who became aware of the incident called the police.

A police party arrived and accosted a group of men. A gun fight ensured and the constable was shot in the thigh. He was treated at hospital and released.

Police say one man was held at the scene as well as a minivan containing goods believed to have been taken from the mini-mart.

Police subsequently held two others believed to have been involved in the incident.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Derrick Cochrane told the Observer that investigations so far were suggesting that the suspects originated from “outside the area”.

Cochrane reiterated that citizens needed to be prepared to alert the police on seeing strangers in their community because of the “migratory and marauding” approach being taken by criminals.