Taser gun used to quell pub row

Taser stun guns are used by police forces in Britain

A Taser weapon has been deployed in West Lothian for the first time by a Lothian and Borders Police officer.

The stun gun was used at 2100 BST on Thursday after a man was allegedly involved in a disturbance at a pub in East Main Street, Broxburn.

A police spokesman said the gun, which releases a high voltage charge, was used to disarm and subdue the suspect who posed a serious and immediate risk.

A 48-year-old man is due to appear at Linlithgow Sheriff Court.

The man was taken to St John's Hospital for treatment and released a short time later.

He was taken into police custody and charged with numerous offences.

They are intended to save life and to avoid people being seriously hurt ACC Ian Dickinson Lothian and Borders Police

A detailed report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

ACC Ian Dickinson, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "The use of the Taser, which is one of a number of less lethal weapons available to police, is intended as a specific alternative to the use of firearms. It can only be used in the most violent and dangerous situations.

"They are, in fact, intended to save life and to avoid people being seriously hurt.

"In this case the man was uninjured, despite his most violent conduct, and we are most grateful to the police officers involved for achieving this."

A number of people in the pub left their belongings behind following the sudden evacuation.

They should contact Broxburn Police Station to make arrangements to identify belongings.