Armed 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 confirmed 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 property and "making threats".

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.

A cordon remains in place and an investigation has been launched, Bedfordshire Police said.

The man was pronounced dead shortly before 10:30, the police said, adding that the force had made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The force said specialist armed officers arrived in Aylesbury Road after reports of "a concern for welfare for a man at a property in Bedford".

Officers were supported at the scene by police negotiators, the East of England Ambulance Service, two critical care crews from Magpas Air Ambulance and Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The man's next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.

Nearby homes were evacuated as the emergency services dealt with the incident but residents have been able to return home after it was deemed there was no "ongoing risk to the public".