Armed man 'with crossbow' dies after being shot by police in south-east London

ITV News' Yasmin Bodalbhai reports from the scene after the fatal shooting earlier on Tuesday

A man has died after being shot by police in south-east London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to reports of a man attempting to force entry to a residential property in Bywater Place, Southwark, at 4.55am on Tuesday.

Unarmed officers tried to speak to him but were threatened, and when police marksmen arrived he had got into the building and was shot.

He was given first aid but died at the scene, and police are trying to contact his family

The Met said its officers recovered crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet from the property.

Police officers at the scene near Bywater Place in Surrey Quays, south-east London Credit: PA

The force said: “Local officers attended and attempted to speak to the man but, after being threatened, armed officers were called and quickly attended the scene.

“The man had got inside the property, and a police firearm was discharged.

“Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service immediately provided first aid but sadly the man died at the scene.”

Two occupants received minor injuries during the incident.

Watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation, as is standard when there is a fatal police shooting.

Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, responsible for policing Southwark, said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.

"I understand the local community will be concerned at the events that have taken place this morning. We will fully support the IOPC investigation into the full circumstances of what happened."

Forensic officers at the scene in Southwark on Tuesday Credit: PA

An IOPC spokesman said: “We have begun an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) earlier this morning in Southwark.

“We were notified by the MPS after the incident, which occurred shortly before 5am, and declared an independent investigation at around 6.40am.

“We have sent investigators to the scene and the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence. Our investigation is in its very early stages.”

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