Police shoot man after woman threatened with knife in Luton

And an independent investigation is now under way after the incident in Cardigan Street yesterday.

Bedfordshire Police were called at around 12.50pm on Tuesday, September 8 to reports that a man was threatening a woman with a knife.

The man was given first aid at the scene and was taken to hospital with “life-changing injuries”. He remains in hospital under police watch.

A woman was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening stab wounds following the incident.

Bedfordshire Police established that armed response officers attended the scene and one officer discharged four shots and another officer struck the man once in the arm and once in the leg with a baton.

The shooting was declared under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) before 2pm today (September 9), and sent investigators to the scene of the shooting as well as the post incident procedure (PIP), where the firearms officers involved gave their initial accounts of what had happened.

Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown, from Bedfordshire Police, said: “Our officers responded quickly to reports of a woman being threatened with a knife in a private property yesterday afternoon.

“As part of this response, shots were fired by police and one man sustained serious injuries.

“Immediate first aid was provided and he has been taken to hospital where he remains under police watch.

“I understand this is concerning news for the community, but I would like to reassure everyone that we are co-operating fully with the IOPC to facilitate an independent investigation and will provide further information as and when we are able to.”

A firearms countback of ammunition was established where they counted how many rounds were discharged took place at the PIP, in the presence of an IOPC investigator.

IOPC Director of Engagement Emily Barry said: “The use of firearms by police officers is rare but where potentially lethal force has been used, it is important that we carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances.

“We can confirm at this stage that all the officers involved are being treated as witnesses because there is no indication they may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence.

“We are in the initial phase of our investigation which is looking at the actions and decisions of officers, including the discharge of police firearms and whether any use of force was reasonable, necessary and proportionate.”

Bedfordshire Police have secured the police firearms for examination and CCTV and officers’ body worn video have been viewed.