Police officer shot with crossbow in High Wycombe

Police officer shot with crossbow in High Wycombe
News Desk

By News Desk


Published: 11/05/2024

A police officer has been shot in the leg with a crossbow and a man was stabbed in what was described as a "serious assault and weapons incident".

Police attended School Close in Downley near High Wycombe on Friday after a man in his 60s suffered a stab wound.

The suspected attacker was shot by armed police and has potentially life-changing injuries.

The officer was released from hospital. The stab victim has serious but not life-threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect, a 54-year-old man from High Wycombe, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains under police guard in hospital.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, from Thames Valley Police, said: "Police officers attended and one was shot in the leg with a crossbow. He was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

"Our thoughts are with the injured officer and we are doing everything to support him and his colleagues, as well as all others affected by the incident within the force.

"The assault victim has also been taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Our thoughts are with him as well."

He added: "A 54-year-old man from High Wycombe has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

"He has also been taken to hospital under police supervision with potentially life-changing injuries, having been shot by an armed police officer during the incident.

"We are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident at this time."

'Pandemonium everywhere'

Neil, who lives in the area and did not wish to give his last name, told the OceanNewsUK he had seen an armed police officer crouching in a nearby bush.

"I was playing in the park with my son and my partner and I knew something was about to go down. I grabbed my son and told my partner to get home, and within minutes it was kicking off and pandemonium everywhere, then gunshots.

"It happened so quickly. It was peaceful to mayhem."

"It escalated so quickly."

Fellow resident Andy Gupta told PA Media: "We saw three or four armed police through our window. That's when we realised there was something serious going on.

"For the first time in my life, I felt like I was working in a movie.

"There were 15 to 20 police cars, armed police, three or four ambulances, and two critical care units.

"It was worrying - I've got family here. I know that kids play over there and my mate's kids are there so I was worried about them as well."

Mr Gupta's 13-year-old daughter, said: "I saw a man coming out of a house and it looked like he had been stabbed in the stomach.

"And then the police officers came and said, 'Don't stand outside, don't come outside, it's dangerous'.

"They kept them all inside. And then armed police came and I heard two gunshots.

"We were shocked - we didn't think it would happen in such a quiet area."

Thames Valley Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the incident, which happened at about 18:00 BST.

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