Police shoot man in Forest Hill with firearms and Taser Published duration 19 February 2012

image caption The shot man is aged in his early 20s

A man is in a critical condition after being shot by police in south-east London.

Police were called to reports of a man trying to break into a car in Elsinore Road, Forest Hill, in the early hours. When they approached him he threatened them with a "large bladed weapon".

Armed assistance was called and when the man approached the officers, he was shot with firearms and a Taser.

He suffered gunshot wounds. It has been referred to the police watchdog.

Knives recovered

The man, aged in his early 20s, is being treated in hospital where his condition is said to be critical but stable.

A police spokesman said a number of knives were recovered from the scene.

The Met Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), has begun an inquiry, as is standard practice for all police shootings.