A suspected gangster was shot dead by police last night after a gun battle on a London street.

The 52-year-old man is said to have fired several shots at officers, three of whom returned fire, Times Online has learnt.

The victim, who has not yet been named, was known to police and is thought to have been involved in other shootings. He is also said to wear body armour.

The “intelligence led” operation involved officers from Operation Trident, which investigates gun crime among black communities and they were backed up by specialist firearms officers.

A loaded weapon was found on the deceased and that weapon, along with the guns belonging to the police officers, is now being forensically examined.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission launched an inquiry today after the shooting last night in Hanger Green in Ealing, West London.

A spokesman said: “Three officers discharged a number of shots during the incident. Officers gave first aid but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A loaded weapon was recovered from the deceased at the scene.”

Witnesses described seeing the man lying naked in the street as paramedics gave him emergency treatment.

Andrew Wood said: “There was a guy lying on the floor, a naked man, and they were trying to revive him.”

He told BBC Radio London: “I heard what I thought were fireworks and I went outside the back and it was obviously a shootout.

“There was just police all over the place and a man lying on the floor. There was an ambulance there and some paramedics came and tried to revive the guy, and that’s all they were doing, just pumping and pumping and pumping his chest.”

The London Ambulance Service and a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service doctor attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The street was quickly blocked off and he thought he saw at least 30 officers.

Paula Rabic was sweeping water from her terrace when she heard the shots.

She said: “It was like war. I was very afraid. I heard the shots and I knew that there was something serious.

“I looked down and saw somebody with something that I thought was a machine gun. I think I heard about five or six shots.

“There were many, many officers.”

IPCC Commissioner Deborah Glass said: “Our investigators have been at the scene all night. From the start they have been directing the inquiry. The forensic examination of the scene has begun and house-to-house enquiries are underway.

“The man has not been formally identified yet but members of his family have been informed.

“The Metropolitan Police Service referred the shooting immediately to the IPCC and I have decided that we will conduct an independent investigation. This will look at the planning of the operation, as well as the way it was carried out.”

A post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Times Recommends

• Sarah Brown says 'no thanks' to veal at G8 - twice
• Stockton-on-Tees is obesity capital of Britain
• Stores blame poor sales on Murray factor