Blind man tasered after police thought his stick was a gun
Levenshulme
Last updated 24th Feb 2017
A blind man's been tasered by police who thought his walking stick was a gun.
Armed officers swooped at Levenhulme train station last night Thursday 23rd February 2017 after receiving reports of a man with a gun on Albert Road.
The man was blasted by the stun gun as he waiting on the platform.
GMP say the victim had failed to respond to a challenge but the force has confirmed he was only carrying a blind person's cane.
In a statement GMP said:
Police were called shortly after 6.40pm on Thursday 23 February 2017 to reports of a man with a gun on Albert Road, Levenshulme.
Armed response officers attended and a Taser was deployed. A 43-year-old man was detained.
Officers later discovered the man was in possession of a folding cane and he was subsequently released.
Superintendent Steve Howard of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said: “Officers responded quickly to the incident to ensure the safety of the community of Levenshulme.
“It has been established that there was no threat and enquiries are ongoing to fully understand the circumstances of the incident.
“In line with standard procedure on occasions such as this, a referral has been made to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch.”