Police officer in hospital after being shot in Hamilton

A police officer is in a stable condition after being shot in the shoulder area in Hamilton overnight. 

Police this morning told 1 NEWS the officer is recovering in hospital after being injured during a routine traffic stop on Bankwood Street.

A man allegedly got out of a vehicle with a gun and fired at the officer.

The driver then fled the scene in his car and the man who shot the officer stole the police car, a police spokesperson said

The driver's car was located in Sherwood Drive, Hamilton just after 4am.

Later this morning, police said the 23-year-old man who allegedly shot at the officer was located at a Ngaruawahia address.

Police have also recovered the gun believed to have been used in the shooting.

The man will face a range of charges. 

"Residents can expect to see a continued police presence at the scene of the shooting in Bankwood Street this morning," the police spokesperson said earlier today.

The injured officer was transported to Waikato Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

The Armed Offenders Squad and Eagle helicopter were deployed to assist with locating the offenders and the two cars.

The stolen police car, along with all police equipment carried in the car, was recovered at 2.20am on Gordonton Road. 

The incident comes after a 60-year-old woman allegedly rammed a police car in Auckland's CBD on Wednesday morning.

In a statement this morning, National's spokesperson for police Simeon Brown said the spate of incidents were "incredibly concerning".

"Beyond the rising violence and day to day risk of being a police officer, we are also seeing more anti-police rhetoric imported from overseas," he said.

"The demonisation of the police – even at times by elected officials – contributes to more hostility on the streets and further aggression towards officers.

"Tougher penalties are urgently needed to send a very clear message that assaulting a police officer is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

Last night's shooting also follows an officer  injured in a head-on crash  with another vehicle in Gore yesterday morning.