Bedfordshire Police has confirmed that a man at the centre of an incident on Aylesbury Road has been shot by armed officers.
Emergency services were initially called to a property on Aylesbury Road at 10.40pm on Monday night, regarding a ‘concern for welfare’.
A ‘concern for welfare’ describes a request for officers to check on someone’s safety when there is an immediate, real, and substantial risk to their life or serious injury.
The initial report was of vehicles being damaged in Aylesbury Road.
Officers attended and 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. Police confirmed that Cadent gas vans were on hand as a precautionary measure.
Over a number of hours, officers made sustained attempts to engage with the man to bring the incident to a safe resolution.
However, shortly after 9.30am, he presented a weapon before police fired.
Officers and medical professionals provided immediate advanced first aid at the scene.
Despite these efforts, the man was pronounced dead shortly before 10.30am. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A number of properties were evacuated while the incident was ongoing. Residents are being supported to return to their homes, and it is not believed there is any ongoing risk to the public.
Read: Aylesbury Road properties evacuated after ‘concern for welfare’ of man
In line with standard protocols, Bedfordshire Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), who have since launched an investigation.
A cordon remains in place while enquiries continue at the scene.
As well as Bedfordshire Police, officers were supported by crews from East of England Ambulance Service, including two critical care crews from Magpas Air Ambulance, and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
