Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police use CS to arrest pensioner

Jason Bennetto Crime Correspondent
Friday 18 September 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

AN INVESTIGATION was launched yesterday after a 76-year-old man was sprayed in the face with CS by police as five officers helped bailiffs to evict him from his home.

The man from North Wales was arrested and taken to hospital where he later collapsed.

The incident, which happened on Monday, was at least the fourth case in which a pensioner has been sprayed with CS. There is growing concern that police officers are reverting to the handheld spray as a way of making an "easy arrest".

Peter Moorhouse, the chairman of the independent Police Complaints Authority, has expressed disquiet at the unnecessary use of CS.

The man had been evicted from the house in which he was living at Tregarth near Bangor. After the house had been boarded up the man was alleged to have acted violently towards the police officers.

The PCA is to supervise the investigation.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in