Bedford stand-off ends in fatal police shooting as watchdog launches investigation

A man in his 40s has died after being shot by armed police following a lengthy stand-off inside a house.

Officers were alerted to reports of vehicles being damaged on Aylesbury Road in Bedford, shortly after 10:40 PM on Monday evening.

When they arrived, they found a man in his 40s who had barricaded himself inside a property and was making threats.

Specialist armed officers attended the scene supported by police negotiators and other emergency services, but despite the best efforts of negotiators to de-escalate the situation, he brandished a weapon shortly before 9:30 AM this morning.

Police fired and the man was pronounced dead shortly before 10:30 AM.

Bedfordshire Police confirmed it has made a mandatory referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has launched an investigation. 

The force said, "despite sustained efforts over a number of hours to engage with the man and bring the incident to a safe resolution he presented a weapon before police fired" shortly after 9:30 AM on Tuesday.

A number of properties were evacuated while the incident was ongoing and police are supporting residents to return to their homes.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesperson added: "We were notified by Bedfordshire Police that a man was shot by armed police at a property on Aylesbury Road and was declared deceased shortly before 10:30 AM.

"After being notified by the force, we declared an independent investigation and have sent investigators to the scene and the police post-incident procedure to begin gathering evidence.

"Our thoughts are with the man’s family and everyone affected by this incident.”