Police were called to a tense standoff at a Walthamstow address after a man reportedly threatened to kill with a firearm. The drama unfolded at Stow Crescent just after 10am on Friday, 10 October.
Hours of Negotiation End in Armed Confrontation
Officers and trained negotiators spent hours at the scene trying to resolve the incident peacefully. But at around 2pm, police forced entry and discharged their weapons. The exact circumstances are under investigation.
"Police were called to an incident within an address in Stow Crescent, Walthamstow at around 10:00hrs on Friday, 10 October. It was reported a man inside the property had a firearm and was making threats to kill. Officers and trained negotiators were on scene for a number of hours and a cordon remained in place. At around 14:00hrs officers had reason to enter the property by force, and following this discharged their weapons. The circumstances of what happened will form part of the investigation. The man was treated at the scene by police medics and the London Ambulance Service. He is in a life-threatening condition in hospital. Officers found what they believed to be a gun inside the property. Cordons remain in place and we ask the public to stay away from the area. The incident is contained and there is no wider threat to the public. The incident is being referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, who in turn will make a mandatory referral to the IOPC." – Metropolitan Police spokesperson
Man in Life-Threatening Condition
The man was treated at the scene by police medics and paramedics before being rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police recovered what they believe was a firearm from the property. The area remains cordoned off.
How Often Do London's Armed Police Fire Their Guns?
- London's armed officers respond to about 4,000 armed incidents and 800 planned operations annually.
- But shots are fired at suspects just twice or fewer a year on average over 20 years.
- Being a firearms officer is voluntary due to the high risks involved.
- These officers protect the public and fellow unarmed police from serious threats daily.
Armed Policing Stats for 2024
- 54,000+ incidents reviewed by the Met's firearms unit (MO19).
- 4,375 firearms operations conducted – around 12 every day.
- 3,575 were emergency responses involving armed suspects, shootings, robberies, or terror threats.
- 800 were planned or covert missions tackling organised crime, kidnappings, hostage rescues, counter-terror, and ceremonial protection.
- Police recovered 380 firearms and 554 other weapons, with 1,589 arrests ranging from drink-driving to murder and terror offences.
- Just one police shooting so far in 2024 (January fatal shooting of Bryce Hodgson in SE16).
- Officers supported frontline teams over 4,600 times, including 834 critical medical deployments.
The Met stresses the incident is contained with no ongoing public threat. They urge locals to avoid the area while investigations continue.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said:
"We were called at 10.59am today (10 October) to reports of an incident on Stow Crescent, E17.
"We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic and a paramedic from our tactical response unit. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.
"We treated a patient the scene and took them to a major trauma centre by road."
