West Ham United footballer Andy Carroll was followed by two men on motorcycles who claimed to be armed during an attempted robbery as the striker returned home from a training session on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old striker was driving back to his home in Essex when he approached by two men gesturing that they had a firearm.
Carroll sped off when they demanded he stop and he was pursued through the streets as he returned to the Rush Green training ground.
The Metropolitan police confirmed officers were called to reports of an attempted robbery at gunpoint in nearby Chigwell, north-east London.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “Police were called at around 12.45 on Wednesday 2 November to reports of two males on motorcycles attempting to rob the driver of a car in Romford Road.
“The two men threatened the driver and intimated through gesture that they were in possession of a gun. The motorcyclists attempted to block the car as the driver sought to get away.
“The suspects rode off prior to the arrival of police. The driver of the car was spoken to and an allegation of attempted robbery was recorded.”
A club spokesman said: “West Ham United can confirm an incident targeting one of our players on Wednesday 2 November. The matter is now being handled by the police.”
