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Man shot dead by police in north London during knife-wielding incident Getty Images

A 40-year-old man has been shot dead by police at a house in north London as he was reportedly threatening a woman with a knife.

The police entered the residence at Shepperton Road in Islington at about 01:00am following an emergency call.

A team comprising a negotiator, the London Ambulance Service and firearm officers were called to the scene, said Scotland Yard.

"A number of shots were fired. The man was treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service. The woman was unharmed in the incident but is being treated for shock," a Met Police statement said.

No other person was involved in the incident. The man who was shot dead and the woman may have known each other, said police.

Scotland Yard added: "As in any shooting, officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) have been informed and this incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)."