Four Arrested After Man Shot in Swanley, as Police Appeal for Witnesses

Four men have now been arrested after a man was shot at a property in Swanley on Thursday evening, with police appealing for witnesses and CCTV or dashcam footage as their investigation continues.

Kent Police said it was called at around 8.50pm on Thursday 8 October to Acacia Walk, Swanley, following reports of a serious assault at a property. Officers attended along with paramedics. A man in his 20s sustained injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and was taken to a London hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Two men were arrested on the Thursday evening of the incident and remained in custody while enquiries continued. Two further men were arrested on Friday 9 October in connection with the same incident, Kent Police confirmed, bringing the total to four. Acacia Walk and surrounding roads remained cordoned off into Friday as the investigation continued.

Chief Inspector Paul Diddams said: "Officers remain at the scene and cordons are in place while an investigation is underway. The parties involved are believed to be known to one another and we are treating this as an isolated incident. Patrols will remain in the area for community reassurance and we ask anyone with information, who has not yet spoken to police, to contact us on 101 quoting reference 08-1577. We are particularly keen to hear from those with private CCTV, or dashcam footage who may have been in the area at the time."

As the incident unfolded, Swanley Community Group - a local Facebook group with over 10,000 members - posted an update telling residents to stay indoors and away from Elm Drive and Walnut Way while police dealt with what it described as a "suspected shooting," adding that "police and other emergency services are in attendance." A police helicopter was sent to the area to assist. With a cordon, an air response and an advisory to stay indoors all in place on their doorstep, it's understandable that nearby residents were left worried and unsettled overnight.

Sources: Kent Police, Swanley Community Group