Bomb squad returns to police shooting scene

The bomb disposal unit, seen here at the scene on Monday, have returned to deal with more items

The bomb squad has returned to the scene of an incident in Kent where a man said to be wielding a chainsaw was shot by a police officer.

Police attended a property in Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, at about 19:15 BST on Monday to arrest a man in his mid-30s on suspicion of assault.

Officers said the man was also holding an item believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED). He suffered injuries to his arm and abdomen in the shooting and was taken to hospital.

Kent Police said the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit was at the scene again on Wednesday evening after "items which need to be safely disposed of" were found.

A stretch of the A20 near Maidstone had been closed and a cordon set up, with motorists told to find alternative routes until further notice.

An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

During the incident on Monday, armed officers were deployed during the attempted arrest when the man refused to come out of the house, according to the IOPC.

The watchdog said police fired a baton round at the man before he took cover behind a hedge.

"Officers moved in and a police dog was deployed," an IOPC spokesperson said.

"The man ignored orders to put down the chainsaw and a second baton round was discharged and then, seconds later, he moved towards officers and was shot by an officer with a conventional firearm."

Weapons were found at the address and the bomb squad "made a device safe", the IOPC said.

The EOD unit was called on Wednesday to dispose of further items.

A Kent Police spokesperson said the force was supporting the IOPC's inquiry.