Man shot dead by police officer

A car was removed from the scene on Sunday morning

A man has been shot dead by a police officer during an operation in London, Scotland Yard has said.

He was one of three men who were stopped in a car in Hale Lane, Edgware, at 2000 BST. Police said he was seen holding a firearm in the back seat.

An officer shot him and he was pronounced dead by an ambulance crew.

About 25 officers including the Met's specialist firearms unit were involved. Two other men in the car were arrested over suspected possession of a firearm.

Firearms unit

The dead man has not yet been formally identified.

A firearm was recovered from the scene but the police spokesman could give no details as to the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The two arrested men were taken to a central London police station.

About 25 officers were involved in the operation, which was carried out by the Specialist Crime Directorate and the Met's specialist firearms unit SO19.

The police spokesman said: "As is routine, the Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and the Independent Police Complaints Commission will be informed in due course."