Man Fatally Shot by Police in Redditch After Five-Hour Standoff

The 39-year-old man, armed with a knife, was killed after negotiations failed; an independent investigation is underway.

Police were called to Fownhope Close, Redditch, on Christmas Eve after concerns were raised about the safety of a man armed with a knife.
Negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation for over five hours before armed officers fatally shot the man at 7:40pm.
The man, who was alone in the property, was pronounced dead shortly after 8pm despite efforts to save him.
West Mercia Police made an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has launched an investigation into the incident.
The shooting marks the third fatal police shooting in the UK in 2024, with local residents expressing shock and grief over the tragedy.