Officers say they were called to reports of man in possession of firearm in street

This article is more than 9 months old

This article is more than 9 months old

A man is in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot by police in Hull.

Humberside police said armed officers were called to reports of a man in possession of a firearm in Hessle Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Paul Anderson, an assistant chief constable, said: “Officers were deployed to the area after a report was received that a man was in the street and believed to be in possession of a firearm.

“The man was shot by police during the incident and is currently in hospital in a critical condition. There were no other injuries sustained by anyone.”

Photos posted on social media show a blue crime scene investigation tent erected at the rear of a grey car that appears to have been left in the middle of the road.

Two traditional police helmets have also been left in the middle of the road, highlighted with yellow forensic markers, as well as paramedics’ equipment.

Anderson said a mandatory referral had been made to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) and the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related.

At a press conference this afternoon, Chris Rowley, a deputy chief constable, added: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man and also with those officers who were involved in the incident.

“In incidents like this our officers have to make very difficult decisions in very difficult circumstances. I would like to reassure the local community that incidents like this are very rare.”

An IOPC spokesman said: “We were notified by Humberside police about a police shooting in Hull in the early hours of this morning. We understand a man was shot by police and is in hospital being treated for serious injuries.

“We have attended the scene at Hessle Road and the police post-incident procedure. We are carrying out an assessment to determine whether the IOPC needs to be involved in any investigation.”