UPDATE: Taser used by police in Littlehampton armed raids

POLICE have confirmed a taser device was used against one of the men arrested in two raids at addresses in Littlehampton this morning (April 29).

It's believed this was the first time a taser has been used by police in Littlehampton.

The device was discharged by one of the armed officers in a special unit supporting officers in a raid on a house in Bayford Road at about 9am.

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Four men were arrested at the house and a fifth was held at another property in St Catherine's Road.

The incident began at 7.40am when police received a call reporting that a man had been assaulted at the address in Bayford Road.

"Proportionate response"

A police spokesman said: "A decision was taken to include authorised firearms officers in the police response.

"The officers entered the address shortly after 9am and found an 18-year old man who had been assaulted. He has been taken to Worthing Hospital, with facial injuries, but not detained there. His injuries are not life-threatening."

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He added: "Deployment of the specialist firearms officers was a proportionate response to the information received, in order to protect any people in the address, the unarmed officers also present, and the public.

Public safety

"The operation was planned and carried out with public safety in mind and it was successfully concluded with minimum disruption to the community and injuries. There is no risk to local residents over this incident.

"No shots were fired. No firearms were found at the address. However one of the men arrested at the Bayford Road address was subject to discharge of a taser device by one of the firearms officers in order to secure his safe arrest."

Anyone who has any information in relation to this incident is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Parkland.

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