THE police watchdog has begun an investigation after a man died following a 10-hour stand-off with armed officers and negotiators.

West Yorkshire Police were called to a domestic incident at a house in Half Mile Green, Stanningley, Leeds, at 12.35pm on Sunday and found that a man appeared to have a handgun.

Police negotiators were called to the scene and attempted to speak to him over several hours.

Just before 11pm, officers forced entry to the property and found the man was critically injured, and after receiving first aid, he was taken to hospital where he died shortly after midnight.

A non-police weapon was found at the scene and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the early indications were that this weapon had been discharged.

A spokesman said: “We have also established that police deployed CS gas and a distraction device, which let off several loud bangs as officers made entry.”

IOPC regional director Emily Barry said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends and all those affected by the tragic incident on Sunday.

“Given a man has died after coming into contact with police then it’s our role to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police.

“We appreciate that the community will want answers quickly and our investigators are working hard to establish the facts and piece together the sequence of events on the night.”

The coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place.