'Gunshots’ heard in Dagenham as police raid address in connection with London attack

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed a police operation was underway in the area.

Transport for London has confirmed the A13 has been shut down between the Goresbrook Interchange and Lodge Avenue Flyover while police attend the scene.

According to local residents on social media, armed officers were followed by a helicopter escort as they moved in on the flat.

One Twitter user wrote: “A loud noise like an explosion has woke me up out of my sleep followed by like gun shot sounds. Anyone else in Dagenham?”

Another wrote: “Gunfire and explosions in Dagenham? Helicopters are out too. Not the wake up I was expecting.”

The operation comes hours after police stormed a flat in Barking, east London, as part of an investigation into the London terror attack which left seven people dead and dozens injured on Saturday evening.

Police arrested 12 people Sunday in connection with the incident from at least two addresses in Barking.

Seven women and five men were detained by armed police as they hunted for associates of the London Bridge attackers.