April 3, 2001 10:14: A man shot in the hip in Thornton Heath on Sunday morning left a trail of blood as he staggered down the road to alert a passing motorist.

The 26-year-old man underwent an operation at Mayday Hospital later that day and his condition was described as stable yesterday.

The man was shot at the junction of Blackmore Road and Trafford Road between 3.45am and 4am, but was picked up after stumbling aimlessly down the street.

A man was arrested in Trafford Road on Monday night in con-nection with the shooting.

Four men were arrested on Sunday but were later released.

The shooting is the latest in a string of gunshot crimes in Croydon.

Police are still investigating the case of a man shot in his Thornton Heath home by a gang of three men on March 27.

Information to DS Simon Reddyhoff on 0208 768 1212.