4. Fatal shootings

There were four fatal police shootings in 2025/26 which occurred in three separate incidents. This represents an increase compared to the two fatal police shootings and two incidents recorded last year. The circumstances of the four fatal shootings are summarised below. Two incidents are subject to ongoing independent investigations, while one is complete.

• Thames Valley Police received a call to report a man with a gun at a railway station. Firearms officers were sent to the station. Officers from an armed response vehicle were first on the scene. As the officers exited the armed response vehicle, a 38-year-old White man walked at speed towards both officers with a knife in his right hand. The officers challenged the man, instructing him to stay still and put the knife down. Body worn video shows that the man ran towards both officers with the knife. One officer then discharged a single shot which hit the man in his abdomen, causing him to fall to the ground. Officers provided first aid before paramedics arrived and took over medical care. The man died at the scene.
   

• Greater Manchester Police received a call from a member of the public reporting a man had driven at and stabbed multiple people at a synagogue, while wearing what appeared to be an improvised explosive device (IED). 
  
  Firearms officers arrived at the synagogue where a number of people had already been injured in the terror attack. One member of the public later passed away. The man, who was aged 35 and Asian, was standing outside the front of the building, holding a knife. The officers moved towards the man and gave him verbal directions. The man moved towards the officers with the knife and officers then discharged their weapons several times. The man died at the scene. 
  
  Two other men were injured during the incident. Both were inside the synagogue at the time. Initial examination appeared to show these injuries were caused by a police-issue firearm. One of the men, a 53-year-old White man, died at the scene.
   

• Norfolk Constabulary received reports of a road traffic collision. It was reported that one of the drivers involved was seen with what appeared to be a handgun, who then left the scene.  Firearms officers found the 61-year-old White man lying on a raised verge on the side of the road. The man was ordered by officers to drop his weapon. Two officers fired a single shot at the man, hitting him in the chest and abdomen. First aid was provided by the armed officers and ambulance crews. However, the man died at the scene. What appeared to be a non-police issue gas-powered air gun was recovered from the scene.