A man was fatally shot by armed police in Norfolk on Sunday evening after he was reported to be in possession of a handgun following a road traffic collision.
Armed Response to London Road Incident
Norfolk Constabulary were called to London Road in Thetford at approximately 8:25 PM on Sunday 29 December 2025. The emergency call reported that a man, believed to have been involved in a two-vehicle crash, had left the scene holding what was described as a firearm.
Armed response officers were immediately dispatched to the location. The suspect was subsequently shot a short distance from the collision site. Despite the efforts of emergency medical services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Independent Investigation Launched
The force has confirmed it has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is standard procedure following a police shooting. Norfolk Constabulary has launched its own investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Assistant Chief Constable David Buckley stated that the force would cooperate fully with the independent probe. This cooperation will include providing body-worn video footage from the officers involved and recordings of the initial 999 emergency calls.
ACC Buckley acknowledged the gravity of the event, noting that such fatal police shootings remain rare occurrences in the UK.
Community and Procedural Aftermath
The IOPC investigation will scrutinise the actions taken by the officers prior to the discharge of firearms. A key focus will be on the perceived threat and whether the use of lethal force was justified and proportionate in the circumstances.
While the identity of the deceased has not been formally released, local residents have expressed shock at the incident occurring in their community. Police cordons remained in place overnight as forensic examinations were conducted.
The case highlights the immense pressure and split-second decisions faced by armed police units when confronted with a potential firearms threat in a public space.
