Rail station shooting 'necessary' - police watchdog

Police acted in a "proportionate and reasonable" manner when they shot a man dead at a railway station, an investigation has concluded.

David Joyce, 38, died after being shot at Milton Keynes Central station on 1 April 2025, following reports of a man with a firearm.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the "use of lethal force" by a Thames Valley Police (TVP) firearms officer was "necessary" to protect the public.

IOPC director Derrick Campbell described it as a "tragic incident".

He added that "having carefully reviewed all of the available evidence, we found that officers were responding to reports of a man believed to be armed and acted quickly in a rapidly evolving situation where there was a real risk to public safety".

At 12:54 BST on the day, TVP received a 999 call reporting a man at the station in possession of a gun and a knife.

Armed officers arrived at the scene 10 minutes later and the caller was later identified as Joyce.

Within seconds of exiting their vehicle, two firearms officers encountered Joyce, who was holding a knife and moving towards them and nearby members of the public, the IOPC said.

Despite commands by the officers to stop, he ran at them, the watchdog added.

One officer discharged a single shot, striking Joyce in the abdomen.

Officers immediately provided first aid before paramedics arrived, and he was pronounced dead at 13:44.

The IOPC investigation found the officer who discharged their firearm believed there was an immediate threat to life, both to them and others nearby.

It also found no indication any officer behaved in a way that would justify disciplinary or criminal proceedings.

This followed an examination of body-worn video, CCTV, dashcam footage, radio communications and witness accounts.

Following the shooting, the IOPC said officers "briefly" applied handcuffs to Joyce "due to the continued perceived risk" and gave immediate first aid until paramedics took over.

It found the actions "were consistent with training and national guidance".

Complaints raised by Joyce's family regarding searches of addresses linked to him and the handling of property were also considered.

It was found that items were properly seized and recorded, and there was insufficient evidence to conclude additional property had been taken, the IOPC said.

However, some officers did not activate body-worn video when entering properties, contrary to the force's body-worn video policy, and it was decided this should be addressed through "reflective learning".

Campbell said: "This was a tragic incident which resulted in the loss of life, and our thoughts remain with Joyce's family and friends."

The IOPC said its report and findings would be shared with the coroner.

A pre-inquest review hearing is due to be held on 19 June.

Ch Supt Emma Baillie, Milton Keynes commander at TVP, said: "I am proud of our officers, who put themselves in harm's way every day without hesitation to protect our communities, which rightly comes with responsibility and scrutiny.

"Our thoughts remain with David Joyce's family and we will continue to support the coronial process."

At the time of the incident, Matthew Barber, police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, said he was "thankful to the police officers who responded bravely and acted decisively in order to protect the public".

"If they had not done so the outcome could have been much worse."