A POLICE officer is recovering after being shot in the hand when a gun went off during a disturbance.

The 32-year-old was accidentally shot as he went to retrieve a bag lying in the street.

He had picked up the bag and a gun inside went off leaving him with an injured finger.

It is thought he was shot in the pinky.

The incident happened around 2.40pm yesterday following a disturbance in Lambhill, in the north of Glasgow.

Officers were called to Knapdale Street following an incident in a house and then began a search of the area.

Paramedics were called and he was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

The officer, who was not armed, had surgery at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His injuries were not believed to be serious.

Police were unable to go into detail about the gun involved and whether or not the weapon had been discarded by the man.

It is thought the officer did not see the gun and had not actually picked it up when it went off.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police officers attended a report of a disturbance at a house.

"A 32-year-old man was arrested and detained in custody in connection with the incident."

He was expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

It is unlikely an inquiry into the incident will be held as the officer was carrying out a routine search.

The incident happened just yards from where a man died following a gangland shooting in December 2006.

Gunmen James McDonald and Raymond Anderson were both caged for 35 years in May for killing Michael Lyons at a garage in Balmore Road.

Anderson, 46, and McDonald, 34, were told they would serve at least 35 years for what was described as the "cold blooded premeditated assassination".Two other men were injured.