A man was shot dead by police in Thetford after fleeing a car crash with a handgun, authorities confirm. Investigation underway with IOPC oversight

A man was shot dead by police in Thetford, Norfolk, after allegedly fleeing the scene of a two-car crash while holding a handgun, Norfolk Constabulary has confirmed.

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The incident occurred on London Road on Sunday night, prompting an armed response from officers.

According to a force statement, the man, believed to be the driver of one of the vehicles involved, left the scene carrying what was described as a handgun.

Armed officers confronted the suspect a short distance away, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assistant Chief Constable David Buckley acknowledged the community’s concerns, noting that incidents involving police use of firearms are extremely rare.

“Our highly trained armed officers deploy to hundreds of firearms-related calls each year, but incidents where police discharge firearms are thankfully incredibly rare,” he said.

Norfolk Constabulary has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in line with standard procedure following a police shooting.

The force confirmed no further suspects are being sought in connection with the incident, and a full independent investigation is underway. All body-worn footage and 999 call recordings will be handed over to ensure transparency.

Highways England reported that the A11 remains closed in both directions from the Thetford Ranges roundabout to the Brandon Road roundabout while investigations continue. The road is expected to reopen between 2.30pm and 2.45pm on Monday.

Buckley also commented on broader crime trends in the area, noting a rise in offences linked to post-Brexit demographic changes.

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The shooting marks the 88th person shot dead by police in the UK since 1990, with 16 deaths occurring since 2020.