A man has died after he collapsed and was handcuffed by police in Welling.

Police officers found the man, believed to be in his 40s, collapsed in High Street, Welling in the early hours of this morning.

Officers placed him in handcuffs after he became aggressive while they tried to help him, and he then fell unconscious.

He was taken to a south London hospital by London Ambulance Service where he later died.

A resident of a nearby flat, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I was watching him out the window, because he was waiting for his friend.

"I heard him shouting because he was shouting at his friend and waiting outside. He was causing no trouble.

"Then I heard an massive smash and when I looked out the window, [there were] lots of police cars.

"He was just waiting for his friend, he wasn't causing no trouble, just waiting."

He added: "The whole road was closed off".

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and next of kin have been informed.

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: "At approximately 00:45am on Thursday, February 23 officers on patrol in High Street, Welling came across a man collapsed.

"Whilst officers were attempting to assist the man he began to act aggressively - officers placed him in handcuffs. The man then became unconscious.

"The London Ambulance Service was called and the man, believed aged in his 40s, was taken to a south London hospital where he subsequently died.

"A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be scheduled in due course.

"As is routine, the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) has been informed.

Enquires continue."

More to follow.

Did you see what happened? Email jessica.clark@london.newsquest.co.uk.