Police use of taser on two schoolboys brandishing knives 'justified

The use of tasers on 11-year-old and 15-year-old boys in separate incidents was justified, a police watchdog has ruled.

The Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) has found that officers acted in line with policy when disarming both youths who were brandishing knives.

The 11-year-old boy was tasered at a caravan park in Ayr on March 22, 2023, after threatening to stab police officers while brandishing a large kitchen knife.

The boy’s mum had called emergency services to report that her son had been trying to smash the windows in their rented caravan and threatening to stab family members and the public.

When the schoolboy was tracked down, he was found to be in possession of a large kitchen knife which he refused to put down.

The boy was said to be using his phone to live stream the incident on social media with members of the public standing nearby.

Despite repeated attempts to get him to drop the knife, the boy refused to comply and reportedly continued to swear at officers.

The boy then changed the position of the blade which was interpreted as a “warning sign” for imminent attack prompting an officer to discharge the taser to allow him to be taken under control.

In April 2023, a 15-year-old boy was tasered after being found holding a knife with a five inch blade to his throat.

The boy had called emergency services threating to kill his mother before she also contacted police to report the threats.

After fleeing his home, the boy told his mum that he would “stab anyone who came near him”.

Officers were able to track the boy down and a decision was made to use the taser as they believed he was in danger of seriously harming himself.

PIRC ruled that in both circumstances officers had acted was in accordance with the training, policy and guidelines provided by Police Scotland.

In the case of the 11-year-old, it was found that the use of the taser was mitigated the threat, risk and potential harm to the young male and members of the public.

The use on the 15-year-old boy mitigated the potential risk of serious self-harm being inflicted, they said.

All incidents involving a police officer using firearms, including tasers, are referred to the PIRC as standard.

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of services available can be found at stv.tv/advice

The Samaritans can be contacted any time, from any phone, free on 116 123, email at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Details of other services and more information can be found on the NHS website here.