Man shot dead by police in Bedford after 'making threats with weapon'

A man in his 40s was shot dead by police after “presenting a weapon” during an armed standoff in Bedford .

Police scrambled to Aylesbury Road in Bedford shortly after 10.40pm on Monday following reports of vehicles being damaged.

Officers arrived to find the man had locked himself inside a property and a tense stand-off took place through the night.

A man in his 40s was found “barricaded” inside a property and “making threats”, Bedfordshire Police said.

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The force said attempts were made “over a number of hours” to engage with the man.

But shortly after 9.30am on Tuesday, police said the man presented a weapon before armed officers opened fire.

He was pronounced dead at the scene just before 10.30am.

His next of kin have been informed.

Police said there is not believed to be any ongoing risk to the public.

The force has made a mandatory referral to the police watchdog, which has launched an investigation.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct ( IOPC ) spokesperson said: “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.”