A man carrying a knife who “moved at speed” towards police has been shot dead by officers at Milton Keynes railway station, Thames Valley Police (TVP) have said.
Officers from TVP and British Transport Police (BTP) were called to reports of a man carrying a firearm at the station at 12.55pm on Tuesday.
“Our armed officers responded and challenged a white man who was carrying a knife outside the station,” TVP said in a later statement.
They said the man “moved at speed” towards officers with the knife before “a shot was fired by police”.
Forensic experts outside the station. Pic: PA
Pic: PA
Despite attempts to save the man, he was pronounced dead at 1.44pm.
Officers are still at the scene, but there is no wider risk to the public, the force said.
They said the station remains open and trains are running as usual – although there was disruption to the bus station and taxi rank outside.
“We have not yet informed the man’s next of kin, so he has not been formally identified,” the force said.
Pic: PA
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said TVP had referred the incident to the watchdog.
A spokesperson said it had begun an independent probe into the shooting, adding it was “notified by TVP shortly after the incident” and that IOPC investigators were sent to the station.
The spokesperson added: “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.
“We declared an independent investigation at 2.26pm. It is in its very early stages and no further information is available at this time.”
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Emily Darlington, Milton Keynes Central MP, said: “I was shocked to hear of the events outside Milton Keynes Central Station today. My thoughts are with everybody affected, and I am grateful for the swift action taken by the emergency services to keep the public safe.”