Police shooting man 'improving'

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A man shot in the stomach by police in Ebbw Vale, south Wales, has come off the critical list after surgery.

Gwent Police firearms officers and negotiators went to a house at Moor View, Rassau, on Tuesday night after claims that an armed man was inside.

At 2310 BST an officer fired a shot, injuring a 56-year-old man, named locally as Bryn Watkins.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating, and said the hurt man's condition was improving.

Nobody else was injured in the incident, which began to unfold when firearms officers responded to reports of an armed man inside the property at 2200 BST.

Early indications are that Gwent Police followed correct procedures for an incident of this sort in their focus on protecting the public Tom Davies, Independent Police Complaints Commission

In a statement, the IPCC said the man, who had been armed, was shot after being challenged by police.

Following the incident, he underwent surgery at Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital where his condition was earlier described as critical.

Later on Wednesday, the IPCC said Mr Watkins remained in hospital but was off life support.

IPCC commissioner for Wales, Tom Davies said: "Early indications are that Gwent Police followed correct procedures for an incident of this sort in their focus on protecting the public in the vicinity.

"This was a traumatic event for his family and for the police officers involved.

"I would like to offer the man's family my hope that he makes a full recovery.

"The IPCC will be contacting the family to explain our role and to assist them in any way we can as soon as they feel ready to speak to us."

'Verify facts'

He added: "The police have a duty to protect the public and to respond when they receive reports of and are faced with armed individuals.

Police went to the house after reports a man was armed

"I can assure the local community in Ebbw Vale that the IPCC investigation will be independent and will verify the facts."

Many neighbours in the cul-de-sac just below the main A465 road from Ebbw Vale to Merthyr Tydfil said they were unaware of any disturbance.

Mr Watkins's brother said their mother had died earlier this week and was widowed about a year ago.

Howard Watkins also said one of his brother's sons had died in a car accident.

"He did go out with a few friends to have a few beers yesterday, but I understand he was on his own in the house when it happened," he said.

"That's what I understand, but he has been suffering with depression, you know, obviously the three deaths.

"Then, of course, when my mother died suddenly the day before yesterday that brought bad memories back to him," said Mr Watkins.

He is understood to have lived in the house with his son in his twenties, while his daughter lived nearby in Ebbw Vale.

An area of the cul-de-sac was cordoned off following the incident with scenes of crime and forensic officers at the scene.