Police are hunting for a gunman after a man was shot dead in West Croydon last night.

Officers were called to Mitcham Road at 9.22pm and found a 20-year-old black man with serious injuries.

He had been shot and was treated at the scene, near the junction of Derby Road, but he could not be saved.

He was pronounced dead in hospital and a post mortem will be carried out. Police are treating the incident as murder and have cordoned off the scene.

No-one has been arrested.

This morning residents in the area reacted to the news that a man had been killed in their street.

One 62-year-old resident of the Hancroft Road estate opposite said: "I heard three gunshots about 9.30pm and went out on the balcony to see what was happening.

"Police knocked on my door at 11.30pm to tell me someone had been shot, It's really rough around here. We had a stabbing in Derby Road and now a shooting.

"I don't know what is happening around here."

Julie Williams, a mother of a 16-year-old, also of the Hancroft Road estate, said: "I heard two loud bangs which made my cat jump. I heard the police come screaming in.

"It really worries me because I have a young boy."

A 47-year-old from the same estate said: "It's getting too close to home. What is wrong with the youth of today. It is so sad."

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "I am not surprised. Personally I think it is a nice area but these things are happening.

"We had the murder of a boy in Sumner Road three months ago. I don't know why it is such a hotspot round here."

Michael Rhodes, who lives just yards from the murder scene, said: "Croydon has got a lot more dangerous.

"There needs to be stricter use of the law. The kids just take the mick out of the police."

Eddie Mustafa from a nearby sandwich shop said: "That road is dangerous anyway, people get mugged there all the time.

"My daughter was walking down one day with friends and two girls took her phone and trainers.

"Nowadays you can't stop and challenge kids when they cause trouble because you don't know what they are going to pull on you.

"Ten years I worked the doors on clubs in Peckham and it was never ever like this."

The incident comes during the fifth week of Croydon Council and the police's joint camapign against youth crime Operation Safe For All.

Croydon Councillor Steve O'Connell, cabinet member for safety and cohesion: "This late night shooting is highly regrettable. We don't yet know the circumstances but understand the ordeal his family must be suffering.

"This incident is not a setback for Safe for All which has caused many people who work in or visit our town centre to comment favourably about the increased feeling of security and safety.

"The incidence of youth crime and knife crime has fallen significantly. But what this terrible crime does show is that some people in south London are still gong around with deadly weapons that they are willing to use.

"Last night underlines the importance of our intensive crime fighting work. Once again, though, I must repeat that the vast majority of residents in Croydon will neither be victims of violent crime nor even be directly aware of headline-making incidents."

It is the fourth violent death in Croydon since the summer.

Nilanthan Murddi, 17, was fatally stabbed after a row with a taxi passenger near the junction of Sumner Road and London Road.

Shakilus Townsend, 16, was killed after being ambushed in Beulah Crescent, Thornton Heath.

Footballer Oliver Kingonzila, 19, was killed after a fight outside E Bar nightspot in South End.

An incident room has been set up at Lewisham Police station lead by DCI Damian Allain. Anyone with any information should call 0208 721 4805.