The police watchdog says is investigating an incident in which a responding officer was shot by a man armed with a crossbow in Downley, near High Wycombe.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched a probe into the circumstances which led to a man being shot by armed officers on May 10.

The armed unit was called in following reports that an officer had been shot in the leg with a crossbow bolt.

It is understood that neither the officer nor the man shot by armed police were fatally injured.

Jason King, 54, of School Close, Downley, appeared in court charged over the incident this afternoon (May 23).

The confrontation with the crossbowman came after police were called to a stabbing in Downley just before 6pm.

The IOPC's regional director Charmaine Arbouin said: “Police shootings are fortunately rare. However, given that a man has been seriously injured after being shot, it’s important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish what happened, not least because a police officer was also injured.

"No police officer is under investigation for either misconduct or criminality – they are being treated as witnesses. 

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected."