10 April 2012 Last updated at 13:07 ET

Woman, 18, dies in London police visit plunge

An 18-year-old woman has died in a plunge from the 17th floor of a tower block as police visited a flat in south-east London.

She fell from her bedroom window before officers arrested a man at the flat in Mulgrave Road, Woolwich.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Police said officers had gone on a planned arrest inquiry regarding a recall to prison, at about 09:30 BST.

The incident has been referred to police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Forensic teams are examining the flat, which is being guarded by two police officers.

Police have not confirmed whether they went to the flat to serve a warrant on the man or the woman.

'Friendly people'

The Metropolitan Police Service's Directorate of Professional Standards is also investigating.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Shortly after the officers entered the flat, a woman, who is believed to be 18, fell from a bedroom window on the 17th floor.

"She was pronounced dead at the scene. We await formal identification. A post-mortem will be scheduled in due course."

Nick Raynsford, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, said he had been shocked by the woman's death.

"I am waiting to hear further details," he said. "There will be a full meeting of all the agencies, including police and the council."

He said police officers based in Bromley and not Greenwich had attended the property.

Council caretaker Prince Langlais, 42, said he knew the victim and the man who was arrested.

"I knew them to say hello to because I live just around the corner," he said.

"They were very friendly people."

Michael Mulkerrins, 28, a carpenter who lives two floors directly below where the woman fell, said his partner heard a row from inside her flat minutes before the incident.

"He heard an argument, he heard shouting and bawling," he said. "About 10 minutes later she was out of the window.

"He didn't see the girl but he did see her on the floor."