A man who was making threats and was thought to have a firearm has been shot dead by police in the capital.

The victim, believed to be in his 40s, was shot in Romford, east London, on Monday.

The police watchdog said it had recovered a non-police firearm from the scene at a petrol station in Collier Row Road, Romford.

Officers received a call at 3.50am about a man making threats who claimed to be in possession of a gun.

He was shot at around 4.45am, and was pronounced dead at the scene around 30 minutes later.


Image: A forensics officer at the scene of the shooting

A cordon was put in place and several roads were closed.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

"Three firearms officers attended and located the man at a petrol station and he was subsequently shot," a spokesman said.

"What appears to be a non-police issue firearm was recovered from the scene and this will be examined by experts."

IOPC regional director Sarah Green said: "The three officers were equipped with body-worn video, which has been

provided to us, and we are also recovering CCTV from the area, as well as undertaking house-to-house inquiries.

"We have met with the man's next of kin and we will be keeping them informed as our investigation progresses."