Nightclub boss shot in cash robbery

A nightclub manager is fighting for his life today after being shot in the chest during a street robbery.

The South American victim, in his forties, was gunned down in front of other staff by two men while leaving with the night's takings in a briefcase.

The robbers, both believed to be carrying handguns, threatened the man and then wrestled the case out of his hand. During the struggle he was shot once at close range.

His friends tried to stem the blood as he lay on the pavement and called emergency services after the attack in Clapham shortly after 6am on Sunday.

He was taken to a nearby hospital where last night his condition was described as critical but stable.

One police officer said: "This is another horrific robbery. These are ruthless criminals who used an appalling level of violence. The victim was shot in the stomach and left for dead."

Local resident Steve Homer, who lives opposite the scene of the shooting, said he was awoken by screaming. Mr Homer said he had been told that one of the gunmen had said: 'I'm going to shoot you'. Mr Homer, 46, said: "I went to the window and thought it was a big fight. I saw about six to eight people milling around and then I rang police because I thought it was more serious by the amount of screaming going on."

He said the victim was slumped on the ground next to Infernos nightclub, popular for Salsa and Latin American nights.

Mr Homer, who runs a community website for local residents, added: "People in the area are already worried about violence around here. So far Clapham has been free of street gun attacks - that happens down the road in Brixton. God help us if we are about to have this level of violence visited upon us here."

Sales assistant Selina Wallace, 28, who also lives nearby, said: "It's shocking for this to happen at the end of your road. People say Clapham is a safe place but at the end of the day London is a dangerous place."

Detectives from the Flying Squad at Barnes said they are unsure how much money was stolen. Police are appealing for information about the two suspects who fled on foot. Officers are using an interpreter to interview the victim and witnesses who all speak Spanish.

Detectives are studying CCTV footage in the area but are unsure if the gunmen had been inside. Police sealed off the area as forensic tests were carried out.

? New Home Office figures reveal that gun crime has trebled in London during the past year. Senior officers say the increase in gun crime is fuelled by drugs gangs battling for control of the crack cocaine market.

Scotland Yard is unlikely to send officers to a range of crimes including burglary and neighbour disputes in an effort to focus on fighting soaring street crime, it emerged today.

Police may now issue verbal warnings for offences such as common assault when they believe the chances of prosecution is remote. The initiative is also likely to include first-time shoplifters and low-value thefts.