Published: 27 January, 2012

A TEENAGER was shot next to a playground in north Westminster in the early hours of Sunday.

Residents of Fallodon House, the council-owned block next to the play area where the incident took place, said a 16-year-old boy was found on steps opposite fencing and a slide.

Westminster Police said they were called out shortly after midnight on Sunday to reports of a shooting at the junction of St Luke’s Road and Tavistock Crescent, near Westbourne Grove.

Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service to find the boy suffering from a gunshot wound to his back.

He is currently in a ­stable condition in hospital.

Residents of St Luke’s Road, which is divided between Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, said a large group of youths had been congregating close to the playground prior to the incident.

The spot is close to the home of Chancellor George Osborne.

Police officers from Operation Trident are investigating.

They are appealing for any witnesses who were in the area and may have seen or heard anything suspicious, or anyone who may have any information concerning the incident.

There were a number of shootings and other violent incidents in north Westminster last year and a special summit to discuss how to tackle gang crime was held in Queen’s Park in October.

New Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe last week launched Operation Impact, a crackdown on serious violence in Westminster set to last several weeks.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Trident team on 020 8785 8580 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

• A 15 year-old boy appeared at West London Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with possession of a firearm with intent, possession of ammun­ition and GBH with intent. He was remanded in custody to appear at Hammersmith Youth Court on  February 1.