Investigation after boy, 11, tasered by police at caravan park

The police watchdog is investigating after an 11-year-old boy holding a knife was tasered during a stand-off at a holiday park.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance at Craig Tara Caravan Park near Ayr at about 11.15pm on Wednesday March 22.

Footage obtained by the Scottish Sun newspaper showed a number of officers, one holding a Taser, approaching a boy who appears to be holding a knife.

One of the officers can be heard saying “throw the knife down, throw the knife away” and one asks “what do you want to do with the knife?”

The boy can be heard saying “stay back” before the Taser is discharged by an officer and the child falls to the ground.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, the Police Scotland watchdog, has been informed as is standard procedure in such incidents.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers attended a disturbance involving an 11-year-old boy in possession of a knife at Craig Tara caravan park near Ayr around 11.15pm on Wednesday 22 March.

“The incident was resolved with no serious injuries. It was contained and there was no risk to the wider public.

“A Taser was discharged during this incident.

“As part of standard procedure, the circumstances of the incident were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.”

A Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland referred the use of Taser to Pirc as is required.

“We are investigating the circumstances, and once our investigations are complete a report will be issued to the Chief Constable.”