A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in connection with alleged weapons offences after local officers were called to a disturbance at a house in the Howden Road area of Jedburgh.

Police were called at around 11pm on Monday, June 18 and a 48-year-old woman was treated at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

A crossbow, knives and samurai sword were among the items recovered at the property.

During the man’s arrest an officer deployed a Taser and, as is standard procedure, the matter has been referred to the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner.

Police Scotland can confirm that a Specially Trained Officer discharged the Taser, which is the first discharge by an STO since they became operational at the beginning of June 2018.

The man was uninjured and taken to Hawick Police Station, where he was charged in connection with a number of alleged offences.

Assistant Chief Constable Nelson Telfer, specialist support, said: “Like our colleagues across the UK, we now have a limited number of local officers trained to use Tasers in instances where there is believed to be an immediate threat to the safety of the public or the police.

“The creation of these Specially Trained Officers across our territorial divisions gives local commanders and control rooms additional options when protecting our communities, which may include a quicker response to incidents by officers with Taser capabilities, where appropriate."

In December 2017, in response to an increase in the number of incidents in which police officers were confronted by people with bladed weapons and an increase in assaults on officers, Police Scotland presented plans to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to equip around 500 local officers with Tasers.

This followed an extensive programme of engagement with key stakeholders, including the SPA and elected representatives. Police Scotland has had a Taser capability since its inception through the Armed Policing Unit, and the increased Taser training has been limited to under 3% of officers.

Training of these officers began in May and all are expected to be trained and operational by August 2018, being equipped with the Home Office-approved Taser X2.

The 20-year-old is expected to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Wednesday, June 20.