04/08/2003

First use of non-lethal Taser in London incident

An investigation has been launched after police in London fired the American-style Taser gun at a lone gunman – the first time it had been used in the capital.

Officers from the Met went to an address in Hounslow at around 10.45pm on Sunday August 3 following a call from a man who said he had a gunshot wound.

When they arrived they found the man carrying two hand guns. They offered him first aid and attempted to negotiate with him for about 45 minutes. The decision was then made to deploy less-lethal weapons as well as conventional firearms.

A firearms officer subsequently discharged a baton round at the man which hit him in the abdomen and he fell to the ground. He tried to get up again and police decided to use a Taser to disable him. He was then arrested and taken by ambulance to hospital where he is currently being treated. His injuries are not life threatening.

An investigation is currently being conducted by the Professional Standards Department of the MPS under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.

This was the first occasion where officers from the MPS have used either a baton round or a Taser operationally. Firearms were deployed and were available at all times but were not used.

A large quantity of knives, firearms and ammunition were later found in the man's flat.

Detectives are investigating how he received his original injury prior to police involvement.

(GMcG)

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