THE latest weapon in Durham Police's crime-fighting armoury has been used for the first time.

A Taser electric stun gun was fired to help arrest a man in Peterlee, east Durham, on Sunday.

The dramatic series of events began shortly before 5pm, when police received a report from security camera operators of a man armed with a knife, walking in Yoden Way, in Peterlee town centre.

While officers were on their way to the scene, they received a second report that a man had approached a driver in the car park of the town's Asda supermarket and allegedly threatened him at knifepoint to hand over his vehicle.

When the driver refused, the man with the knife is said to have ran off towards nearby shops. He was seen outside the Peterlee Lodge Hotel, before going into the Eden Bar.

A police spokesman said: "Officers contained the area, keeping an eye on all the entrances and exits, and the suspect was seen leaving and walking towards the nearby dene.

"The man was challenged by officers and, when he didn't respond and in the light of public safety, a Taser weapon was drawn. Officers then fired two barbs into the suspect, one in the shoulder and the other in the stomach."

The weapon sent a 50,000-volt charge down the wires and into the suspect.

After the man fell stunned to the ground, officers were able to handcuff and arrest him.

The spokesman, who appealed for witnesses, said the suspect did not have a knife on him, but a carving knife with an 8in blade was found after a subsequent search of the immediate area.

The man was taken to Peterlee police station on suspicion of attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

Chief Superintendent Eric Suddes, Durham Police's North Area Commander, said: "This was the first weekend officers have been issued with Tasers and the device was used in accordance with national guidelines."

He added: "The standard post-incident procedure was also put in place and the early indications suggest the weapon was effective in bringing the situation to a close."

Tasers have been introduced throughout the country to give police "less-than- lethal" options.

* A 21-year-old man was last night charged with attempted robbery and possession of a bladed instrument. He is expected to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court this morning.