Police say man shot dead by officers in Milton Keynes was carrying knife

Thames Valley Police say a man who was shot dead by armed officers in Milton Keynes was carrying a knife.

Officers from TVP and from the British Transport Police were called to reports of a man carrying a firearm at the station on Elder Gate shortly before 1pm on Tuesday (1 April).

The force say armed officers responded and challenged a white man who was carrying a knife outside the station. He moved at speed towards officers with the knife before a shot was fired by police.

Life-saving actions were immediately taken at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead.

The man has not been formally identified and his next of kin have not been informed yet.

Milton Keynes commander, Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, said: “We understand that this incident may cause concern locally, but we would like to reassure the community that there is no wider risk to the public.”

Thames Valley Police have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and they will be carrying out an independent investigation into this incident.

The force are asking people not to share footage or speculate about other details online.

A spokesperson for the IOPC described the investigation as being "in its very early stages," and added: "We were notified by TVP shortly after the incident and IOPC investigators have been sent to the station and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.

"Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and all those who have been affected by this incident.

"Our role in these circumstances is to independently investigate all of the circumstances surrounding this incident including the actions and decisions taken by the police."

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