Police Taser boy, 11, after knife stand-off with officers in South Ayrshire - official police statement

Police Scotland has issued an official statement after an 11-year-old boy was Tasered  following a knife stand-off. The force has confirmed the incident took place on March 22 at the Craig Tara caravan park, near Ayr.

The Scottish Sun published footage that showed several officers asking the boy to put down the weapon before one of the officers fired a 50,000-volt stun gun. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) had received a referral over the incident.

The footage shows the schoolboy being approached by at least four officers. One of the officers points the Taser at the child, who appears to be holding a knife and mobile phone.

The officers encouraged the boy to “do the right thing” and drop the knife before the 11-year-old backed away from them. One of the police officers asks the child: “What do you want to do with the knife?”

However, the boy continues to retreat and tells the officers to “stay back”. The police officer holding the stun gun then Tasers the child.

What is a Taser?

The Police Scotland website describes Tasers as a useful tool to protect people from violence or threats of violence. This is especially true in cases where traditional methods of physical restraint could result in injury to the person or officers.