List of killings by police in the United Kingdom

This list of people killed by police in the United Kingdom documents cases of people who died directly or indirectly because of the actions of British law enforcement officers, regardless of the manner of death, duty status of the officers, or if they acted officially or unofficially. It includes officers working for all law enforcement agencies, existing or historical, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, but excludes crown dependencies, colonies or other political entities subject or previously subjected to the direct control of the government of the United Kingdom. It also excludes deaths for which other government agents are responsible, such as deaths as a result of actions of the British Armed Forces.

Many of the killings were by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Police in Northern Ireland killed 56 people during the conflict, including at least 30 civilians and at least 20 paramilitary members. (choose "organization" and "status summary" as the variables)

Single deaths in a single incident 2020s

Name Date Location Police force Result of police action DescriptionRulingAngelo Russo12 May 2026Bedford, BedfordshireBedfordshire PoliceDirectOfficers responded to reports of vehicle damage and encountered a man who had barricaded himself in his house. He poured petrol around the house and threatened to set off an explosion by turning on his gas, prompting local residents to be evacuated. After a several hour standoff, the man was killed by a single police rifle shot after allegedly pointing a firearm at officers.Under investigation by the IOPCTony Keeble29 December 2025Thetford, NorfolkNorfolk ConstabularyDirectOfficers responded to a two-vehicle collision involving a Mercedes van and Honda Jazz on the A11 London Road in Thetford at around 20:25 GMT. When police arrived, they found the van empty and the driver of the Honda Jazz with minor injuries. The driver of the Mercedes, a man in his sixties, walked northbound on the southbound carriageway, with members of the public informing police that he was in possession of a handgun. Officers arrived on the southbound carriageway and fired two shots 'from a short distance away'. The man was declared deceased at the scene at approximately 22:15 GMT.Under investigation by the IOPCDavid Joyce1 April 2025Milton Keynes, BuckinghamshireThames Valley Police and British Transport PoliceDirectOfficers from Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police were called at 12:55 GMT to reports of a man carrying a firearm at Milton Keynes railway station. The man had called 999, stating ‘there is a man with a gun down at the train station in Milton Keynes’, before hanging up. When the 999 call handler called the number back, the man who made the original 999 call explained that the man with the gun was acting suspiciously and looked like he was about to 'do something bad', explaining how the man was 'definitely' in possession of a gun. Thames Valley Police said its armed officers responded and challenged the man, 38-year-old David Joyce, who was in possession of a steak knife, with a 12cm blade, before firing shots after he "moved at speed" towards them. Later, checks revealed that the 999 call was made by a number linked to Joyce, with CCTV from the station showing Joyce on the phone at the relevant times. Prior to the shooting, in February 2025, Joyce had attended a police station in possession of a knife whilst experiencing a mental health crisis.Under investigation by the IOPCMarcus Meade24 December 2024Redditch, WorcestershireWest Mercia PoliceDirectWest Mercia Police were called after concerns were raised for the safety of a man in possession of a knife at a property. A police negotiator responded and engaged with the man, 39-year-old Marcus Meade over several hours. Distraction devices and Tasers were allegedly used during the incident. He was later shot by an armed officer.Under investigation by the IOPCMariam Ahmed17 October 2024Eltham, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectMetropolitan Police officers in an unmarked police car were in pursuit of a stolen moped at approximately 18:15 GMT on Eltham Road, south east London. 38-year-old Mariam Ahmed was in a vehicle ahead of the police car and indicated to turn right into Sutcliffe Park, when she was struck by a police car overtaking slow-moving traffic. The collision caused Ahmed's vehicle to flip several times, killing her and her unborn child, whom she was 39 weeks pregnant with. An attempt was made to save Ahmed and her unborn baby, with an emergency C-section being performed at the roadside, however, both were pronounced dead. It was believed the police vehicle was travelling at 80mph in the 40mph zone.Under investigation by the IOPCJoel Stenning11 August 2024Knaphill, SurreySurrey PoliceDirectSurrey Police were called to reports shortly before 00:30 BST of two people involved in an altercation in Knaphill, with one of the people involved said to be in possession of a weapon. When officers arrived, the caller reported that one of the men had gone into an address. Police called for the man, later found to be 29-year-old Joel Stenning, to come to the door of the address with nothing in his hands. Stenning opened the door and appeared to point a weapon in the direction of the officers. One of the officers fired one shot, with another firing a police baton round. A 'non-police issue weapon' was located at the scene. First aid was provided to Stenning, who was taken to hospital where he initially was in a critical but stable condition, before dying four days later at St George's Hospital in Tooting, London, with a provisional cause of death being from 'complications of a gunshot wound to the abdomen'.Under investigation by the IOPCBryce Hodgson30 January 2024Southwark, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectMetropolitan Police officers responded to a report that a man, who was armed, was attempting to get into a bedroom of a property, where residents had barricaded themselves in. When police arrived at 05:07 GMT, they located 30-year-old Bryce Hodgson, a convicted stalker who was prohibited from entering the road on which he was on. This followed an incident where he admitted entering a woman's bedroom without consent and was sentenced to a 16-week suspended prison sentence and restraining order, in July 2023. When police first arrived, Hodgson, who was wearing body armour, was attempting to break through an internal door with a sword. Officers challenged him with a Taser, however Hodgson repeatedly swung a sword in the officer's direction. The officers withdrew and requested assistance, with firearms officers arriving at the scene at approximately 05:15 GMT. Having attempted to negotiate with Hodgson, he pointed a loaded crossbow at the officers, with an officer shooting him twice in the neck and chest. Despite being given first aid, Hodgson died at the scene. Officers later recovered weapons included crossbows, a knife, sword and hatchet.Lawful killingGiedrius Vasiljevas23 November 2023Dagenham, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectMetropolitan Police officers responded to a report from 40-year-old Giedrius Vasiljevas that he had two loaded guns, a beretta and an air rifle and wanted to shoot himself. Vasiljevas was described as being 'distressed' and 'intoxicated' and had a history of alcohol use and mental health issues, of which he had been unsuccessful in getting support with. When Vasiljevas appeared at the doorway, he was shot twice, with one shot striking him in the lower abdomen. Vasiljevas was pronounced dead at the scene. The gun Vasiljevas had said he was in possession of was later found to be an unloaded CO2 powered BB gun. The officer who fired the shots stated that Vasiljevas pointed a gun directly at both them and another officer. Police bodyworn footage did not clearly show this (due to the environment being dark), however, it appears to show Vasiljevas in possession of a black handgun. Accounts from other officers noted how they saw Vasiljevas arm raise in the direction of the officer who fired the shots.Lawful killingHelen Holland10 May 2023West London, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectPC Christopher Harrison, a Metropolitan Police motorcyclist, was escorting Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh in a convoy with other outriders as she left the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office on King Charles Street. When the convoy got to West Cromwell Road, he struck 81-year-old Helen Holland at a crossing. Holland was hospitalised and later died from 'complications from a severe head injury'. PC Harrison later explained that he 'did not see her in the footway at all on the approach' Police officer found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Misconduct matters to be considered 'as soon as possible'Heather Smedley23 December 2022Oldham, ManchesterGreater Manchester PoliceDirectGreater Manchester Police officer PC Mark Burrows was driving an unmarked police car pursuing a suspected stolen Audi A3, when he crashed into a Peugeot 108 that was being driven by 53-year-old Heather Smedley. Smedley died at the scene of the crash. PC Burrows was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Appearing at court in April 2025, PC Burrows pleaded not guilty to causing Smedley's death, by either dangerous or careless driving.Police officer acquitted of charge of causing death by dangerous driving on 7th May 2026https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/statement-following-acquittal-gmp-officer-trial-causing-death-dangerous-driving.Sergii Kuzmenko20 December 2022Carlisle, CumbriaCumbria ConstabularyDirectCumbria Constabulary received reports of a man making threats to kill in the presence of a young child at an address in Carlisle. Officers attended the address and located 40-year-old Sergii Kuzmenko, in possession of a knife. Officers shot Kuzmenko, who died at the scene.IOPC concluded that officers acted in accordance with their training. An inquest into Kuzmenko's death will be held before a jury.Marius Ciolac7 October 2022Derby, EnglandDerbyshire ConstabularyDirectArmed officers shot a man allegedly wielding a knife outside a police station. Taser and baton rounds were reported to have been discharged at the male before he was finally shot, a number of knives were found at the scene of the incident.Lawful killingChris Kaba5 September 2022Streatham Hill, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectPolice followed a vehicle being driven by Chris Kaba. The vehicle rammed other cars after being blocked by armed police while officers surrounded it on foot. Kaba was shot and taken to hospital where he died. The officer was suspended from duty while being investigated for murder. The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police in 2023, and the officer was later charged with murder. The officer was reinstated on 22 October 2024 after being found not guilty.Inquest opened in October 2022. Officer involved found not guilty at trial.Unidentified Man11 December 2021Kensington, LondonMetropolitan PoliceDirectPolice responded to reports of a man with a firearm in Kensington after he raided a bank and bookmakers.