Published Date: 29.11.2008

The Police Ombudsman has appealed for witnesses after police discharged a taser during an incident at a shopping centre in west Belfast.

The incident, the first use of a taser by police in the city, happened shortly after 5.30pm last night (Friday November 28) close to the entrance to the Park Centre shopping complex. One man was arrested.

As with all discharges of tasers and firearms, the incident was referred by the Chief Constable to the Police Ombudsman for independent investigation. Police Ombudsman investigators have been at the scene, which has been forensically examined.

Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact the Police Ombudsman's Office on freephone 0800 032 7880 or 028 9082 8777.

ENDS