Bedfordshire Police shoot man dead after Bedford standoff

Bedfordshire police shot a man dead in Bedford after an overnight standoff on Aylesbury Road, after officers were called at about 10.40pm on Monday to reports of vehicles being damaged. Armed officers, negotiators and other emergency services stayed at the scene through Tuesday morning while nearby residents were evacuated from their homes.

Aylesbury Road overnight

A force spokesperson said officers found a man in his 40s who had barricaded himself inside a property and was making threats. “They attended and found a man aged in his 40s who had barricaded himself inside a property and was making threats.”

Bedfordshire police said the man presented a weapon shortly after 9.30am on Tuesday, after what it described as sustained efforts over a number of hours to engage with him and bring the incident to a safe resolution. The man was treated at the scene and was pronounced dead shortly before 10.30am, a force spokesperson said.

Police watchdog referral

The force made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has launched an investigation. The Bedfordshire coroner has been informed, and a pathologist will carry out a postmortem examination to ascertain the cause of death.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Bedfordshire police said residents are being supported to return to their homes and that it is not believed there is any ongoing risk to the public.