Police officers have shot and killed two robbers during a suspected armed robbery at a bank in Hampshire.
Police officers have shot and killed two robbers during a suspected armed robbery at a bank in Hampshire.
Hampshire Constabulary were deployed to the scene outside HSBC branch in Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford in Southampton on Thursday.
Hampshire officers attended the scene outside HSBC branch in Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford in Southampton.
One man died at the scene, the other died in hospital. Local officers are involved in a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad.
One man died at the scene, the other, in hospital. Police are working with the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission will conduct an inquiry.
It is thought the gang were targeting a security van outside the bank. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will conduct an inquiry.
I heard three shots An eyewitness
I heard three shots An eyewitness
A statement from the Metropolitan Police read:" The object of the operation was to prevent and apprehend those believed to be involved in an attempted armed robbery of a premises in Chandler's Ford.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police read:" The object of the operation was to prevent and apprehend those believed to be involved in an attempted armed robbery of a premises in Chandler's Ford.
"At approx 1005 [BST] shots were fired and two men were shot.
"At approx 1005 [BST] shots were fired and two men were shot.
"One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital but died at approximately midday.
"One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital but died at approximately midday.
"No officers were injured in the incident."
"No officers were injured in the incident."
Earlier, one eyewitness called Juliet said: "I heard three shots.
Earlier, one eyewitness called Juliet said: "I heard three shots.
"As I looked over the balcony edge I could see an unmarked police car and there were four police officers that had got out of the car."
"As I looked over the balcony edge I could see an unmarked police car and there were four police officers that had got out of the car."
Employees at Mann & Co estate agents, just yards from where the shooting happened, rushed out of the back of their offices when they heard the gunshots on Thursday morning.
Employees at Mann & Co estate agents, just yards from where the shooting happened, rushed out of the back of their offices when they heard the gunshots on Thursday morning.
One said: "I knew it was the sound of bullets immediately.
One said: "I knew it was the sound of bullets immediately.
"Everyone just ran to get as far away as possible.
"Everyone just ran to get as far away as possible.
"The police must have been tipped off.
"The police must have been tipped off.
"One customer told us they saw police officers running out of the public toilets just near to the bank and then they heard the shots.
"One customer told us they saw police officers running out of the public toilets just near to the bank and then they heard the shots.
"This is out of the ordinary for sleepy Chandler's Ford so we are all a bit shook up."
"This is out of the ordinary for sleepy Chandler's Ford so we are all a bit shook up."
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