Gunman causes havoc in store

Shoppers fled for cover in a north London supermarket when a gunman ran in and hid in the aisles, claiming another armed man was after him.

The man, carrying a handgun, caused chaos in the Waitrose store in Holloway Road although he told terrified staff he was not planning a robbery.

He claimed the only reason he was armed was to protect himself from a second man who was trying to kill him. As shoppers fled, staff managed to call police, who arrived and arrested him.

Officers then cordoned off the Holloway Road while they searched in vain for a second armed man.

The supermarket gunman is today being questioned at a north London police station.

A Met spokesman described last night's incident as " very unusual".

He added: "It appears the man did not intend to rob anyone. However, he was carrying a handgun and was arrested. No shots were fired."

The Waitrose store, which is near actress Kate Winslet's home, was the scene of a violent attack last Sunday.

A 40-year-old woman suffered serious head injuries after jumping on the bonnet of a mugger's car to try to stop him escaping with her handbag from the car park.

She remains in a critical condition at the Whittington Hospital in Highgate.

Three years ago, a man armed with a gun stor med the same supermarket and escaped with more than £30,000 in cash.