Man shot dead by police

An investigation is under way after a man was shot dead by police in the east end of London.

Armed police were called to Victoria Park Road in Hackney, at 7.44pm on Wednesday night after receiving reports of a man with a firearm in the area.

The man was challenged by police but the officers felt they were under imminent threat and opened fire.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A number of shots were fired by police. "It is not known how many at this stage."

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

He said a full investigation was under way by the Complaints Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Metropolitan Police.

The incident has also been voluntarily referred to the Police Complaints Authority, which is supervising an investigation.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said no firearm had been recovered but a detailed search had not yet been carried out.