A KNIFEMAN was shot with a Taser after launching a frenzied attack on a police officer through the window of his patrol car.

The officer was attacked by the man, armed with two knives, after finding him walking in the middle of the road on the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle, shortly before midnight on Friday.

The officer stopped his patrol car and wound down his window to warn the man of the danger he was in and to ask him to go to the pavement.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said the officer saw the man was carrying the knives "but before he could react the man lunged at the officer, striking him a number of times on his stab-proof vest".

The Tyne Bridge was closed to traffic for more than three hours as other officers were called to the scene. After the man refused to put down the knives, senior officers authorised the use of a Taser to restrain him. He was then arrested.

The officer the man attacked was not injured, the spokesman said.

Chief Superintendent Jim Campbell said: "This man was armed with knives and was threatening police officers.

"It was only down to the fact that the officer was wearing protective clothing, and the warnings shouted by his colleagues, that he did not receive more serious or even fatal injuries.

"There is simply no excuse for anyone to be carrying a knife in public places and no reason to do so - self-defence is not an excuse.

"I would like to reiterate that knife crime is not as significant a problem in the Northumbria Police force area when compared to other areas in the UK."

Chief Supt Campbell added: "Tasers are used to control and stop a threat without resorting to conventional firearms. It's a less lethal option and for the added protection of the public as well as officers. The effects are instantaneous, but last only as long as the charge is applied.

"The prime aim of using Tasers is to bring an incident to a safe conclusion without any injury or loss of life, which has proved true in this incident."

* Barry Munro, 23, of Lindisfarne Road, Hebburn, South Tyneside, has been charged with attempted wounding with intent, assault with intent to resist arrest and possessing offensive weapons. He will appear before Newcastle magistrates today.