Man shot by police in Swindon following reports of armed robbery

• Video from the scene in Swindon

A man has been shot by police following reports of an armed robbery in Swindon.

Officers were called to Rivermead Industrial Estate in Westlea on Tuesday. 16 June where they say a man - who was armed with what was believed to be a handgun - had stolen a lorry.

The vehicle was later stopped by armed police in the Ridge Green area where he was shot by officers.

A 59-year-old man suffered a leg wound and was airlifted to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

He was later arrested on suspicion of armed robbery.

It is believed the lorry was taken from local food wholesalers N&B Foods Ltd on the Rivermead Industrial Estate in Swindon, shortly after closing time.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because a police firearm was discharged.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "We understand, at this time, that officers from Wiltshire Police were called to a disturbance shortly after 5pm following reports of an armed robbery in Rivermead Industrial Estate, Westlea.

"During the incident, the man, in his 50s, was shot in the leg by a firearmsofficer. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. We have sent investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedures."

One local resident, 17-year-old Corey Battacchio, said he was in his room when he heard "a loud bang" but assumed it was a firework as "nothing like that ever happens around here".

He told PA news agency: "At around 5:30pm, I heard numerous police sirensand three circulating helicopters, (one landed) so I went outside."

He went onto say a man was then stopped by police an unmarked vehicle before he was shot and taken to hospital.

A passerby, who wanted to remain anonymous, also told PA two armed officers were shouting "put down the gun" and pointing their weapons at a man in a lorry.

Shaw Ridge Primary School - which was running an after-school club for a handful of children during the time of the shooting - was put on full lockdown.

Headteacher Sally Cowell says the children were quickly evacuated out of the back of the building.

• Sally Cowell, headteacher Shaw Ridge Primary School