Watchdog alerted after police officer shoots firearm

A police officer fired a single shot from a firearm after being called to a disorder on a housing estate in which an individual was said to be armed with a knife.

Dyfed-Powys Police has referred itself to the police watchdog following the incident at Bunkers Hill, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday evening.

The force said the firearm was not directed towards an individual, and no injuries were sustained when an "officer discharged a single shot".

Officers, including a firearms unit, were dispatched to the property following a callout at 17:45 GMT. The weapon was fired at 18:32, said the force.

Deputy Chief Constable Gary Phillips said an investigation has been launched into the "circumstances that led to the firearms being discharged" and the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

"We will work with them as we continue to establish the circumstances leading up to the discharge," he said.

An IOPC spokesman said: "We were notified by Dyfed-Powys Police about this incident on Saturday and advised that a police firearm was discharged but no injuries were reported.

"We understand a voluntary conduct referral is being made by the force, which we will assess before deciding whether any further action is required by us."