The police watchdog has released a statement after beginning a probe into the fatal shooting of a man in Dagenham.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, died in Weston Green, Dagenham after shots were fired by police last night (November 23).

The Met Police said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was informed.

A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed it has launched an investigation, adding: "We have been notified by the Metropolitan Police Service that a man has been fatally shot, during an incident in Dagenham, east London, shortly before 9pm last night (23/11).

"We have begun an independent investigation and our investigators were sent to the scene and the police post-incident procedures to begin gathering information.

"We have no further information at this time."

RELATED: Probe launched into man's death after a fatal shooting by armed police officers

The Met Police said it received a call from a man at an address in Weston Gardens claiming he wanted to end his life. 

The force said the man stated in the same call he was in possession of loaded firearms.

Firearms officers attended and a negotiator was requested.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police continued efforts to engage with the man throughout in an effort to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

"Shortly before 21:00hrs shots were fired by police.

"Officers immediately provided first aid, including CPR, but despite their efforts and those of paramedics, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at 21:30hrs."

Police have confirmed that a non-police firearm was found at the scene. 

One Facebook user who was around the area at the time described the scenes on the residential road as "manic".

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