Independent investigation launched after police shoot a man in Luton
A man and a woman are both in hospital after the incident in Cardigan Street
Last updated 9th Sep 2026
An independent investigation has been launched after police shot a man in Luton.
It happened on Tuesday, when Bedfordshire Police were called at around 12.50pm to reports of a man threatening a woman with a knife at a property in Cardigan Street.
Officers, including armed response, attended and shots were fired by police, leaving one man injured.
He was given first aid at the scene before being taken to hospital with life-changing but not life-threatening injuries.
A woman was also taken to hospital with stab wounds. Her condition is not believed to be life-threatening.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for an independent investigation, in line with standard police protocols.
Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown, from Bedfordshire Police, 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."
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed it began its investigation shortly before 2pm, sending investigators to the scene and to the post-incident procedure where the firearms officers gave their initial accounts.
The watchdog has established that armed response officers attended and that one officer discharged four shots and another fired one baton round. These appear to have struck the man once in the arm and once in the leg.
The IOPC said all the officers involved are being treated as witnesses at this stage, as there is no indication they may have breached police professional standards or committed a criminal offence.
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."
The IOPC added that it has secured the police firearms for examination, and that CCTV and officers' body-worn video have already been viewed.