THE police watchdog has launched an investigation after a man was tasered by officers in Worcester.

West Mercia Police has voluntarily referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after its officers were called to an address in Warndon at about lunchtime on Friday, August 10.

They were responding to a call about a 44-year-old man on a porch roof, causing a disturbance.

When officers arrived, they found the man - a relative of the occupants - damaging roof tiles and dropping them to the ground.

He was also carrying a knife and hammer.

A police negotiator and a police officer began talking to the man in an attempt to get him to come down, and a short while later officers armed with tasers arrived.

An IPCC statement reads: “The man remained on the porch roof, at a height of about eight feet.

“Just after 2.30pm officers moved forward and deployed a taser.

“The man fell to the ground and was detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act and was taken by ambulance to hospital.

“He had sustained minor bruising.”

The police referred the incident to the watchdog the following day, and after an assessment has decided a full investigation is required.

The man’s family have been notified.

IPCC Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne said: “Our independent investigation will focus on the overall police management of this incident, together with the actions and decision-making of the officers involved.

“We will consider the appropriateness of the use of taser and what tactical options were available to police in the circumstances.”

The man has since admitted criminal damage and been fined at Worcester Magistrates’ Court.

West Mercia Police said the matter now rests with the IPCC’s investigators who will take statements from all parties involved.