A police officer is in hospital after being shot in the foot in Nottingham in the early hours of Sunday.

Nottinghamshire police said the officer had approached two suspects in the city centre when he was struck by a bullet. The force said the two suspects, a woman and a man, had fled the scene and were being sought by police.

The firearm was recovered and a large crime scene cordon is in place around Angel Row in the heart of the city after the incident at 4.50am.

Claire Rukas, assistant chief constable, said: “This is a shocking incident and a sobering reminder of the potential dangers faced by officers as they work to protect and serve the public.

“As we investigate what happened and work to apprehend the individuals involved, my thoughts today are with the injured officer, his family and colleagues.

“I also ask that anyone with additional information shares this with us without delay. Even the smallest bit of information could make all the difference to this investigation.”

A team of forensics experts were working within the police cordon on Sunday morning, sectioning off a large part of the city centre occupied by pubs, bars and takeaways.

Forensic investigators and police have cordoned off a large area of Nottingham city centre. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA

Neghat Khan, the leader of Nottingham city council, said she was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident. She said Nottingham was a “safe city” and thanked the bravery of police and community protection officers, adding: “My thoughts and full support are with the injured police officer, their family, and their colleagues across Nottinghamshire police.

”Nottingham city council is working tirelessly alongside the police to support the investigation and ensure those responsible are swiftly caught and brought to justice. While incidents of this nature are extremely rare, our commitment to keeping Nottingham safe is absolute.”

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Curtis Jackson, 22, who said he had recently moved to the UK from the US, told the Nottingham Post he felt “quite worried to be in the city at night”. He said: “My thoughts go out to the police officer; this is really a terrible incident. It’s a scary thought that on a Saturday night, when most people go out to have a fun night, someone was in town with a gun ready to use it.”

Another person, who gave her name only as Melissa, told the newspaper: “Incidents like this just amplify the feeling I have, I don’t feel safe in the city at all and when it’s dark any more.

“I know police do all they can, but they can’t be everywhere and it feels like scary incidents are becoming all too common nowadays.”