Image caption Police shot the man in Hale End Road, Walthamstow, shortly after 20:15 BST

A man has been taken to hospital and arrested after being shot by police in east London.

The man was shot in Hale End Road in Walthamstow shortly after 20:15 BST on Tuesday by police responding to reports a man had been seen with a handgun.

He was treated for gunshot wounds to his arms and then taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

The man's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "A non-police issue firearm has been recovered at the scene."

'Patient was conscious'

The force's directorate of professional standards has been informed and the Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would hold an investigation into the incident.

Scotland Yard said the man was given first-aid at the scene until an ambulance crew arrived.

A London Ambulance spokesman said the service was called just after 20:30 BST.

"The patient was conscious, treated and stabilised before being taken to hospital," he said.

Michelle Handley, 43, whose home overlooks the shooting scene, said: "My children were upstairs in the loft. They heard shots and looked out of the window.

"They ran downstairs and said 'Mum, there's a man lying at the bus stop covered in blood. We think he's dead.'

'Most shocked'

"I went outside but the police shouted to me to get back inside the house so we weren't allowed to look.

"They wouldn't let anyone near until the casualty was in the ambulance.

"There was a big crowd of police around the casualty.

"I was shocked. It all happened very quickly. I was most shocked as my friend had been outside 10 minutes before with my little girl.

"I have four children and my friend's children were round. I'm just happy the children aren't hurt."

Police said the man's details were unknown.

A spokesman said the force's directorate of professional standards had been informed and the Independent Police Complaints Commission would also be notified.