Police have shot a woman 'armed with a knife' in Liverpool.
Witnesses report hearing a racket that sounded "like fireworks".
Police were called to reports of a woman armed with a knife, and was shot by officers, Merseyside Police said.
She suffered an injury to her upper body and was taken to hospital.
A witness at the scene in the inner city area of Toxteth told the Liverpool Echo he heard a 'bang.'
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Mohammad Shopon, who lives nearby, said: "I was outside my house and I heard like a bang, it sounded like fireworks.
"I walked a little bit further and I saw about seven or eight armed police officers in the street.
"I didn't see what happened but it looks serious."
Armed police could be seen at the scene this afternoon.
A large emergency services presence crowded into Cairns Street, including hazard response teams.
One person has been taken to hospital, the local ambulance service confirmed earlier.
A Merseyside Police statement said: "We can confirm officers are currently dealing with an incident in Toxteth.
"Officers were called at 1.50pm today, Thursday 9th July, to Cairns Street to reports of a woman armed with a knife.
"Patrols attended the scene and a female was shot by police and suffered an injury to her upper body. The woman has been taken to hospital for treatment.
"An investigation is underway and the area is currently cordoned off.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
Dozens of worried residents lined the streets around the area this afternoon as the drama unfolded.
A number of streets remain cordoned off, with only police allowed in or out.
One woman, who lives near to the police cordon, said she had been asleep after working a night shift when she was woken by a gunshot shortly before 2pm.
She said: "I heard a bang.
"I didn't know what had happened until my daughter told me she had seen it on the news."
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she heard two loud bangs.
She said: "It sounded like something had blown up."
One resident said: "People are sad and mad about it but obviously we don't know who she is or what's happened yet.
"A lot of people are going to be angry that a police officer has felt the need to shoot a bullet into somebody."
A North West Ambulance spokesperson said earlier: "We were called to an incident on that street at 2pm.
"We attended with a resource from our hazardous area response team, a rapid response vehicle, ambulance, advanced paramedic and tactical commander.
"We have taken a patient to hospital but I’m afraid it’s a police incident so I can’t provide any further details."
The woman's condition is not known at this stage.
