Man shot dead during planned operation by Kent armed police

The operation was linked to a murder of a 73-year-old man in Biddenden on March 21

The dead man has not been formally identified (Getty)

A 36-year-old man has been shot dead during a pre-planned armed police operation in Goudhurst, Kent.

Armed officers were called to an address at Smiths Lane in Goudhurst on Sunday night and a 36-year-old man was fatally injured at the scene.

The police operation was linked to the murder of a 73-year-old man in Biddenden on March 21, Kent Police have said.

The dead man has not been formally identified, but police said the family of a man officers wanted to contact in connection with the murder in Biddenden have been informed.

A spokesman for the force said: "Shots were fired during the incident. One man was fatally injured at the scene and a firearm has been recovered.

"Formal identification of that man has not yet taken place but the family of a man officers wanted to locate in connection with the murder in Biddenden have been informed.

"The matter has now been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is mandatory for all police shootings."

The IPCC has confirmed it is investigating the shooting, adding that tests are being carried out on "what appears to be a non-police firearm found at the scene".

Roy Blackman, 73, was found dead from multiple blunt force injuries at his home in Headcorn Road, Biddenden, Kent, on March 21 after burglars had stolen his safe.