Man shot dead by police after overnight stand-off

A man has been shot dead by police after an overnight stand-off in Bedford.

Bedfordshire Police said it was initially called to reports of vehicles being damaged in Aylesbury Road at about 22:40 BST on Monday.

At the scene, officers found a man in his 40s "barricaded" inside a semi-detached house and said he made threats to them.

The force said specialist armed officers and police negotiators tried to engage with him over a number of hours but he "presented a weapon before police fired" at about 09:30 on Tuesday.

He was pronounced dead shortly before 10:30 and police said his next of kin were being supported by specialist officers.

Bedfordshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

No-one else was believed to be in the house during the stand-off.

Mark Swales, a neighbour of the man who died, said his friend had been struggling with the loss of his father and parking issues in the street.

Swales said he rang 101 to warn police there was a problem and that his neighbour needed help.

He also said that, during the stand-off, he heard the man shout that he had turned the gas on and was threatening to blow the house up, before police disconnected the supply.

Police moved residents of about 10 houses to safety during the operation and told other people living nearby to stay inside.

A police spokesperson said armed officers arrived in Aylesbury Road after reports of "a concern for welfare for a man at a property".

They added that officers were supported by police negotiators, the East of England Ambulance Service, two critical care crews from Magpas Air Ambulance and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Lucy Bywater, a Green councillor for the Castle and Newnham Ward on Bedford Borough Council, said it was "important that all inquiries from residents" were referred to police.

"It's obviously been a really distressing day for all concerned, including immediate neighbours and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died."

A cordon remained in place in the evening.

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