Man, 39, shot dead by armed police in Redditch on Christmas Eve

A man with a knife was shot dead by armed police in Redditch after “several hours” of negotiations on Christmas Eve, police have said.

West Mercia Police were called to a property in Fownhope Close, Redditch, at around 2pm on Tuesday to reports of a man with a knife.

Police negotiators arrived at the scene in Worcestershire and “attempts were made to resolve the situation by engaging the man over several hours”.

But at 7.40pm the man was shot by armed police. He was pronounced dead just after 8pm.

No one else was inside the property at the time, the force added.

A mandatory referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, has been made and an investigation been launched.

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West Mercia Police’s assistant chief constable Grant Willis described it as a “tragic incident”.

“We do not underestimate the shock and concern this may cause the local community and I want to reassure residents that we are following all appropriate procedures, this included making an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is mandatory and right,” he said.

“We will support their investigation, which will include providing all information we hold, including body worn camera footage.”