Man shot by police in Luton after woman stabbed

A man has been shot by police in Luton after a woman was stabbed.

Armed officers were called to reports of a man threatening a woman with a knife in Cardigan Street at around 12.50pm on Tuesday.

A Bedfordshire Police officer fired four shots, while another officer fired a baton round, which appear to have struck the man once in the arm and once in the leg, according to the police watchdog.

He was taken to hospital with life-changing injuries, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

The woman was also taken to hospital with stab wounds. Her condition is not understood to be life-threatening.

The IOPC says it has launched an investigation into the incident.

The watchdog added it "declared an independent investigation" shortly before 2pm on Tuesday and sent investigators to the scene.

IOPC director of engagement Emily Barry said: "The use of firearms by police officers is rare but where potentially lethal force has been used, it is important that we carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances.

"We can confirm at this stage that all the officers involved are being treated as witnesses because there is no indication they may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence.

"We are in the initial phase of our investigation which is looking at the actions and decisions of officers, including the discharge of police firearms and whether any use of force was reasonable, necessary and proportionate."

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The IOPC said it had secured the police firearms for examination.

CCTV and police bodycam footage have also been looked at, the watchdog added.

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