FOUR people arrested after a woman was assaulted and a man was shot remained in police custody today.

A man who had shotgun pellets removed from his torso is still being treated in hospital but faces arrest on his release.

It follows a major police operation after two separate incidents in South Moor, near Stanley, on Tuesday.

A 21-year-old woman was punched in the face while a 30-year-old man managed to seek refuge in a nearby shop.

People in the area then reported hearing what sounded like a shotgun being fired.

A short time later staff at the University Hospital of North Durham told police a 44-year-old man had attended casualty with apparent gunshot wounds to the right side of his torso.

His condition is described as 'not serious'.

Officers are questioning two men, aged 26 and 33 and two women aged 32 and 33.

A number of legitimately held shotguns were seized from one house.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Watson said: "I would like to reassure people that incidents such as this will not be tolerated.

"Police will do everything in their power to stop this kind of offending and put those responsible behind bars."

Last month, two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a double shooting in the village, not believed to be linked to this week's incident.

Anthony Parkin, 26, of Bracken Close, Stanley, and 20-year-old David Railton, of Poplar Street, South Moor, surrendered themselves to police two days after the Bank Holiday Monday shooting in which two men in their 20s were injured.

Chief Supt Watson added: "Such incidents in County Durham are rare and although there was a shooting several weeks ago in Stanley there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that there is any connection with this incident or a threat to members of the public in the Stanley area."