A TEENAGER is recovering in hospital after being shot in the back on Monday.

The 15-year-old was walking with his friends in Tufter Road at around 11pm when he was hit.

It is believed the group were approached by a gang of six or seven black and mixed raced men wearing hoods and bandanas.

The shooting is being investigated by officers from Operation Trident, who deal with black-on-black violence in the capital.

Redbridge deputy Chief Inspector Nick Simpson said: "He has been shot in the lower back with a real gun and a bullet has been removed from his body.

"All shootings are serious on the scale of things but the boy is fine at the moment."

No arrests have yet been made.

Anyone with any information should call 0208 2177 7366