“We understand this is a concerning incident but would like to reassure the public that a strong police presence will remain while initial enquiries take place,” Bedfordshire Police said.
Shots fired on a residential street in Leighton Buzzard triggered an armed police chase that ended in a crash in Dunstable, with the occupants of the suspect vehicle fleeing on foot and remaining at large. Metro reported that police were alerted to gunfire shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 4, on Grebe Drive, prompting armed officers to respond to the estate near Astral Park. Roads were cordoned off on the estate near Astral Park following the incident. The incident occurred close to a school.
Armed pursuit ends in Porz Avenue collision
Officers later spotted a vehicle believed to be linked to the firearm discharge. Specialist armed officers were sent to both the area and the vehicle believed to be at the scene, and officers indicated for the driver to stop. When the driver refused to stop, a chase ensued roughly 10 miles into Dunstable, where the car collided with an unrelated vehicle in Porz Avenue. One man was treated at the scene for minor injuries, while the suspect vehicle’s occupants ran from the wreckage on foot, according to Bedfordshire Police. The Daily Star and The Mirror both reported that specialist armed officers were deployed to Grebe Drive after the initial reports of gunshots.
Greenleas School placed in lockdown
A lower school near the scene was locked down for a short period as a precaution. While Bedfordshire Police did not name the school in their statement, the Daily Star, AOL and The Mirror identified it as Greenleas School. The school confirmed on its website: “School is open as normal 5th November. Thank you to the children, staff and parents for their composure and calm during the incident today.” Greenleas School, a lower school in Bedfordshire, issued a message to parents and staff following the nearby shooting. The Daily Express has established that Greenleas School is situated near to where the incident occurred, and the Daily Star, The Mirror and The Daily Express have each approached the school for further comment.
Roads cordoned off under Operation Tanglewood
Porz Avenue remains closed between Boscombe Way and the Lovatt Road roundabout while emergency services respond to the collision, with residents urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes. Additional scene guards are stationed in Grebe Drive and on the A505. Police have asked anyone with information to call 999, quoting Operation Tanglewood.
Search underway for suspects at large
The occupants of the suspect vehicle remain at large as police continue searching the area around Porz Avenue. Bedfordshire Police described the operation as a manhunt for a gunman in a post on Facebook. Bedfordshire Police stated that a strong police presence will remain in the area while initial enquiries take place.
What we know about the Grebe Drive shooting and Dunstable chase
Greenleas School, a lower school in close proximity to Grebe Drive, was placed in lockdown briefly on November 4 as a precaution, according to the Daily Star, AOL and The Mirror.
Police responded to reports of a firearm discharge shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday, November 4, in Grebe Drive, Leighton Buzzard.
The pursuit covered roughly 10 miles from Leighton Buzzard into Dunstable before the vehicle crashed in Porz Avenue.
Was anyone injured? One man was treated at the scene for minor injuries after the collision with an unrelated vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call 999 quoting Operation Tanglewood.
Greenleas School reopened as normal on Thursday, November 5, while the search for the fleeing suspects continues and Porz Avenue remains closed between Boscombe Way and the Lovatt Road roundabout.