The Independent Police Complaints Commission is able to confirm the identity of a man fatally shot by police officers in an incident in New Romney, Kent on Tuesday evening.

Following the post-mortem earlier today, the man was formally identified by members of his family as Robert Bruce Haines, 41-years-old.

Mr Haines was shot on Tuesday evening by armed officers from the Metropolitan Police Service during a pre-planned police operation to detect an armed robbery at a building society in New Romney, Kent. He was later pronounced dead at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

The IPCC investigation into the fatal police shooting is running in parallel to the investigation by Kent Police into the robbery itself.

IPCC investigators have today been interviewing key witnesses. A team of IPCC investigators, led by Deputy Senior Investigator Adrian Tapp, are tonight at the scene conducting door-to-door enquiries, and a witness appeal has been launched.

IPCC Commissioner, Nicola Williams, said: "We are keen to speak to witnesses to the two events of Tuesday evening. The first is the shooting outside the Nationwide Building Society in New Romney, which occurred at about 7.45pm.

"The second is the incident in the nearby village of Hamstreet, which occurred slightly later, and also involved armed police officers. If you saw or heard anything, or have any information relating to either of these incidents, we are very keen to hear from you."

Anyone with any information about either of these two incidences is asked to contact the IPCC on telephone number 020 7166 3220 or email newromney@ipcc.gov.uk

Notes for editors

1. The IPCC is the body with overall responsibility for the police complaints system. Since April 2006 it has taken on responsibility for similar, serious complaints against HM Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in England and Wales.
2. The IPCC has the task of increasing public confidence in the complaint systems and aims to make investigations more open, timely, proportionate and fair.
3. The 17 Commissioners who run the IPCC guarantee its independence and by law can never have served as police officers. No Commissioner has worked for HM Revenue and Customs. They are supported by 100 independent IPCC investigators, as well as case workers and specialist support staff.
4. Since April 1 2004 the IPCC has used its powers to begin 97 independent and 373 managed investigations into the most serious complaints against the police. It has set new standards for police forces to improve the way the public's complaints are handled. The Commission also handles appeals by the public about the way their complaint was dealt with by the local force.
5. The IPCC is committed to getting closer to the communities it serves. Its Commissioners and staff are based in IPCC regional offices in Cardiff, Coalville, London and Sale plus a sub office in Wakefield.
6. The IPCC web site is constantly updated at www.ipcc.gov.uk or members of the public can contact the IPCC on 08453 002 002.

For further information contact:

Poppy Turner

Regional Communications Officer

Tel: 020 7166 3127

Mob: 07717 851294