Armed Standoff in Walthamstow Ends in Drama
Police raced to Stow Crescent, Walthamstow, after reports of a man threatening to kill with a firearm. The tense standoff began shortly after 10am on Friday, 10 October, gripping the area in fear and suspense.
Hours-Long Negotiation Ends in Armed Confrontation
Officers and crisis negotiators spent hours trying to resolve the situation peacefully. But at around 2pm, police stormed the property and fired their weapons. The full details remain 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 After Police Intervention
Paramedics and police medics treated the man at the scene before rushing him to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police recovered what they believe was a firearm from the property. The scene remains cordoned off, with officers urging residents to steer clear while investigations continue.
How Often Do London’s Armed Police Fire Their Guns?
- London’s armed officers handle around 4,000 armed incidents and 800 planned ops yearly.
- Shots are fired at suspects only twice or fewer a year on average over two decades.
- Becoming a firearms officer is voluntary due to the high risks involved.
- These officers put their lives on the line daily to protect the public and unarmed colleagues.
2024 Armed Policing Stats Revealed
- Over 54,000 incidents reviewed by the Met’s firearms unit (MO19).
- 4,375 firearms operations carried out – roughly 12 a day.
- 3,575 emergency responses involving armed suspects, shootings, robberies, or terror threats.
- 800 planned or covert missions, tackling organised crime, kidnappings, hostage rescues, counter-terror, and ceremonial duties.
- 380 firearms and 554 other weapons recovered, with 1,589 arrests from drink-driving to murder and terror offences.
- Only one police shooting so far in 2024 – the fatal January shooting of Bryce Hodgson in SE16.
- Firearms officers supported frontline teams over 4,600 times, including 834 critical medical responses.
The Met insists the incident is contained with no ongoing threat to the public. Residents are urged to avoid the area while investigations continue.
London Ambulance Service Statement
“We were called at 10:59am today (10 October) to reports of an incident on Stow Crescent, E17,” a spokesperson said.
“We dispatched an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, an advanced paramedic, a tactical response paramedic, and London’s Air Ambulance.
“We treated a patient at the scene and took them to a major trauma centre by road.”
