Armed police shoot man in Luton as woman rushed to hospital with stab wounds

Armed police shoot man in Luton as woman rushed to hospital with stab wounds A man suffered life-changing injuries after being shot by armed police in Cardigan Street, Luton - a woman also suffered stab wounds and was taken to hospital A man has been shot by armed police in Luton after a woman suffered stab wounds. Bedfordshire Police was called to a property in Cardigan Street at around 12.50pm on Tuesday following reports that a man was threatening a woman with a knife. Armed response officers attended and one officer fired four shots, while another discharged a baton round, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The rounds appeared to strike the man once in the arm and once in the leg. He was given first aid at the scene before being taken to hospital with life-changing injuries. The woman was also taken to hospital with stab wounds, although her condition is not understood to be life-threatening. The IOPC said it declared an independent investigation shortly before 2pm and sent investigators to the scene where the firearms officers involved gave their initial accounts. A firearms countback was also carried out to establish how many rounds had been discharged, in the presence of an IOPC investigator. The watchdog said the police firearms involved have been secured for examination, while CCTV and officers’ body-worn video have also been viewed. 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.” Bedfordshire Police said the injured man remains in hospital under police watch. Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown said: “Our officers responded quickly to reports of a woman being threatened with a knife in a private property yesterday afternoon. "As part of this response, shots were fired by police and one man sustained serious injuries. Immediate first aid was provided and he has been taken to hospital where he remains under police watch. “I understand this is concerning news for the community, but I would like to reassure everyone that we are co-operating fully with the IOPC to facilitate an independent investigation and will provide further information as and when we are able to.”