Man shot by police during rescue of woman 'being held captive by group' in London

Five men have been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment

Lewisham Road at the intersection with Blackheath Hill (Google Maps)

Armed police have shot a man during an operation to rescue a woman allegedly being held captive in southeast London, Scotland Yard has said.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound after an officer opened fire near Blackheath in the early hours of Saturday.

He was arrested along with six other men. Five were detained on suspicion of false imprisonment and one for possession of an offensive weapon.

Police were not immediately able to say why the wounded man was arrested.

Shortly before 4am, armed officers responded to a report of concern for the welfare of a woman in a property in Lewisham Road and a man being witnessed with a gun, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers stopped a car near Lewisham Road's junction with Blackheath Hill, on the border of the borough of Greenwich, when an officer opened fire, the force said.

The wounded man's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct, the police watchdog, sent investigators to the scene after being notified by the Met.

Road closures around the scene were still in place on Saturday morning.

Additional reporting by Press Association