A pedestrian has died after being hit by a police car on a 999 call in Birmingham, West Midlands Police has said.

The 40-year-old man was struck just before 19:00 GMT on Wednesday, on Yardley Road, near the junction with Florence Road in Acocks Green.

Paramedics were called to the scene by police, however, “despite their best efforts, nothing more could be done to save him”, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.

The police said the man’s family had been informed and was being supported.

Officers were responding to a report of a man carrying knives on Warwick Road, police said.

Other officers attended that 999 call, but there was no sign of any disorder on arrival.

A resident who lives near to where the incident happened said the road is “very busy”, as it is a main route around the city.

“We have ambulances and police cars that speed along here, and the ordinary driver also does because it’s like a cut through.”

She added that she could only imagine that the community was in “great shock”.

“It’s where you live, you don’t want to know about things like this.

“You like to think that where you are it’s safe, and all this has done is prove it isn’t safe.”

Shiny Thomas runs Kerala Ayurveda Holistics on Yardley Road, opposite to where the incident happened.

Ms Thomas said it must have happened only 10 or 15 minutes after she left the shop and added that it was “a big worry”.

“It’s shocking that it’s happened right outside. It is a very busy road, but you don’t expect this. Everyone should be more careful driving.”

The force said the two officers in the vehicle were not injured and that it was liaising with the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the pedestrian’s death.

It has appealed for anyone with information, including dashcam footage, to come forward.