A MAN in his 40s shot by an armed police officer in Frankley remains in a stable condition at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Police have also bailed a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of firearms offences with strict curfew conditions, as part of the same investigation.

Two other men, aged 17 and 20, and a 53 year-old woman arrested on suspicion of drugs offences have been released under investigation, police said today (Friday, July 28).

The shooting took place at around 9pm on Wednesday, July 26, when an armed West Midlands Police officer discharged a firearm in Hereford Close.

The officer's body-worn video camera was on at the time of the incident and footage captured the incident on film.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The IPCC said initial information indicated armed police were called to the scene 'in response to intelligence received relating to firearms offences'.

They added there is early evidence to indicate a single shot was fired by one police officer.

West Midlands Ambulance Service - who sent an ambulance, two paramedic officers and a BASICS doctor to the scene - said the victim suffered "a gunshot wound to the chest".

The IPCC said he 'remains in a critical condition'.

Hereford Close was cordoned off by the IPCC and a police firearm secured.

Superintendent Andy Parsons, from Birmingham Police, said: "A number of properties are being searched in connection with the ongoing police investigation and the subsequent arrests.

"There will continue to be a police presence in the local area to provide reassurance to our communities."

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell added: “We will be carrying out a thorough, independent investigation into this serious incident, as is appropriate when police use potentially lethal force.

"We are making contact with the man’s family and will ensure they are updated on the progress of our investigation.”

Other police incidents in the area have since been reported.

Resident Hattie Byron told us she saw armed police officers raid a house on nearby Lower Beeches Road at around 6.30pm on July 26.

She said: "I saw five armed police officers getting out of an Audi estate in to my neighbours back garden with guns and ladders.

"There were lots more armed police officers in the road parrallel."

Later on Thursday, Longbridge Police posted a photo on their Twitter page of a vehicle on Skomer Close in Frankley, which was found with a "cache of weapons in rear footwell".

They added enquiries were still on-going.

The shooting comes just days after the IPCC released figures that showed six people were fatally shot by police in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2017.

It was the highest number since records began in 2004 and double that of the previous year.