Force refers itself to police watchdog after man shot by armed officers in Worcestershire
West Mercia Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), after a man was shot by armed police in Worcestershire.
Officers were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service to an address on Fownhope Close in Redditch, at around 2pm yesterday (24th December) after concerns were raised for the safety of a man with a knife.
The force said attempts were made over “several hours” to deal with the incident, but the man was shot at around 7.40pm.
He was pronounced dead just after 8pm. No one else was in the address at the time.
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"A tragic incident"
Assistant Chief Constable Grant Wills said:
“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected at this difficult time.
“We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is mandatory and right.
He went on to say "We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body worn camera footage.”An IOPC spokesman said “We can confirm we have begun an independent investigation following an incident at an address in Fownhope Close, Redditch, at around 7.40pm yesterday in which a man was shot by police and sadly pronounced dead soon after.
“After being informed of the incident by West Mercia Police, we sent investigators to the scene … to begin our inquiries and start gathering evidence.
“Our investigation is in its very early stages.”
The police watchdog said West Mercia officers had fired Tasers during the stand-off with a knife-wielding man, before a firearms officer shot and killed him.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had seized a knife from the property, and would be examining police weapons and watching body-word camera footage.
The officers involved have provided initial accounts of what happened.
The IOPC director of operations Steve Noonan said:
“Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic incident.
"Given a man has died after being shot by police, our role is to independently investigate all the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by officers.
“While police shootings are thankfully rare, it is understandable that people will be concerned when it does happen, and it is important we conduct a detailed and robust investigation into what took place".
A tent has been set up at the rear of the building. Tributes have been made on social media to the man who died.
One wrote: “RIP, thoughts are with you all.”
Another said: “So sorry to hear this! Sending love to all the family.”
One person wrote: “RIP bro gonna miss you so much xx.”
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According to statistics from Inquest, a charity which looks at state-related deaths, there were two other fatal police shootings in 2024 up until 16th August.
The charity’s figures show there have been 83 other fatal police shootings since 1990.