Man shot dead by police after barricading himself in Bedford home

Officers confronted a man in his 40s after reports of vehicles being damaged on Aylesbury Road at 10.40pm on Monday.

Dozens of neigbours were evacuated from the are as armed police arrived in the quiet cul-de-sac.

After nearly 12 hours of negotiations, the officers opened fire claiming the man ‘presented a weapon’ at 9.30am on Tuesday.

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The man was treated at the scene but died an hour later.

Bedfordshire Police 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 9.30am.

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

An IOPC spokesperson said: ‘We have begun an independent investigation into a fatal police shooting in Bedford this morning.

‘We were notified by Bedfordshire Police that a man was shot by armed police at a property in Aylesbury Road and was declared deceased shortly before 10.30am.

‘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.’