Armed police shot dead a man in north London early yesterday following an incident in which a woman was threatened with a knife.

Residents in Shepperton Road, Islington, said they woke up at about 1am to hear a volley of gunshots “like fireworks” and saw the area swarming with police cars and armed officers.

Scotland Yard said the man, 40, died on his way to hospital about 20 minutes later.

The woman, who has not been named, was not harmed during the incident but was treated for shock.

Police had sent a negotiator to the scene on Thursday night after reports that the man had broken into a house. 

The man and woman involved are believed to have known each other.

Investigators from watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) were at the scene yesterday.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “As in any shooting, officers from the Met’s directorate of professional standards have been informed and it has been referred to the IPCC.”