Man armed with knife shot dead by police in Derby

Ascot Drive has been cordoned off

A man with a knife has died after being shot by armed officers outside a police station in Derby.

Derbyshire Police said armed officers were sent to Ascot Drive and a police firearm was discharged at 10:03 BST.

The force said the incident was not being treated as terror-related but an investigation was continuing.

The man, whose identity is unknown, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Deputy Chief Constable of Derbyshire Police, Kate Meynell, said: "It is not believed to be linked to counter-terrorism at this time, however inquiries are ongoing.

"The male's identity is currently unknown, but I can confirm he's a white man and we're working to establish who he is."

Deputy Chief Constable Kate Meynell said the incident was not being treated as terror related

The force said officers were sent to the scene after a man was seen with a knife in the secure car park of the police station.

A window was smashed before a weapon was fired with officers giving first aid to the man until paramedics arrived.

Witnesses saw an air ambulance land near the scene.

Derbyshire Police has informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the death.

'Two sharp blasts'

Eyewitness Mark Baxter said he heard six gunshots and saw a police officer with a gun standing over a man on the ground.

Mr Baxter, who works at Marilly Motors on nearby Pontefract Street, said: "There was a series of gunshots. Two sharp blasts, two shots afterwards, a brief delay and then two more shots.

"We came out to the back of Farmfoods and police were already on site.

"One of our customers came down and said somebody had been shot in the entrance to the police station and he was on the ground.

"We [went out] saw there was someone on the ground with a guy stood over him with a gun, police cars and they shut the road off."

Eyewitness Mark Baxter said he saw a police officer with a gun standing over a man in the ground

Eyewitness Mick Lahel said: "I heard the gunshots and walked around to the front of Farmfoods.

"I looked right next door to the fire station [which shares the site] and I saw somebody lying on the floor… and I saw an armed policeman with a gun.

"I thought it was an explosion at first, I was waiting to see smoke but then heard sirens."

At the scene

By Giles Taylor, BBC East Midlands Today

Over the last few hours numerous passers-by have approached the cordon here, only to be turned away and redirected by the police.

There has been a steady stream of plain-clothed officers arriving on scene, and a forensics tent has been set up across the road from the police station while investigations continue.

Witness Paul Milner said he heard gunshots during his break

Another eyewitness Paul Milner, who works on Ascot Drive, also said he heard six gunshots during his break.

And a further eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: "We heard three or four police cars go shooting past with their sirens on

"We heard people shout 'stop, put it down' and then next thing you know there was gun shots left right and centre."

The IOPC confirmed they have begun an independent investigation into the shooting and its detectives have recovered a knife from the scene.

IOPC regional director Derrick Campbell said: "Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragic incident. It is vital there is an independent investigation into all of the circumstances that resulted in this man's death.

"I would like to reassure people that we will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation into what took place.

"Our inquiries are in their very early stages."

A Derbyshire Police spokesperson said: "No officers, staff or other members of the public were injured during the incident.

"A cordon is currently in place and Ascot Drive is currently closed and will remain so for some time while inquiries are ongoing."