A major emergency response is under way in Dagenham tonight following reports that a man has been seriously injured near Heathway.

Police and ambulance crews have been deployed to the area, while an air ambulance was seen landing nearby as emergency teams responded.

Residents have reported that part of Heathway near the Parsloes Avenue end has been closed, with police cordons in place and buses unable to travel along nearby roads.

Witnesses posting in a local community group described seeing a large number of police officers and ambulance crews close to The Denman pub and surrounding shops.

One witness said emergency teams were providing intensive treatment to a man outside a shop, while another reported seeing a large trauma team working at the scene.

There are also unconfirmed reports circulating locally that the incident followed an altercation in or around a pub and may have involved a stabbing/" title="Stabbing" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">stabbing.

Some social-media posts have described the scene as a murder investigation, but this has not yet been confirmed by the Metropolitan Police.

UKNIP has checked publicly available Metropolitan Police updates tonight and, at the time of publication, no official statement confirming a murder investigation relating to the Heathway incident could be located.

Claims circulating locally about exactly what happened, including suggestions concerning those involved in an earlier argument, therefore remain unverified.

Police tape remains in place, and officers are understood to be continuing enquiries at the scene.

Motorists and passengers should expect disruption around Heathway, Reede Road and Parsloes Avenue while the emergency response continues.

This is a developing incident and this article will be updated when the Metropolitan Police confirm further details.