A PROBE is investigating police officers who used a taser on an 11-year-old boy at a holiday park.

Police used the 50,000-volt weapon on the young boy at Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayr on March 22.

The 11-year-old was reportedly holding a knife when he was surrounded by five officers at around 11:15pm.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said a probe had been launched into the incident, but suggested it was “standard procedure”.

They said: "Officers attended a disturbance involving an 11-year-old boy in possession of a knife at Craig Tara Caravan Park near Ayr around 11.15pm on Wednesday, March 22.

"The incident was resolved with no serious injuries. It was contained and there was no risk to the wider public.

"A taser was discharged during this incident. As part of standard procedure, the circumstances of the incident were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner."

The Police Scotland website explains: “Taser is the brand name of a Conductive Energy Device.

“Taser initially generates around 50,000 volts of electricity, mainly to allow the wires to pass through the air and through clothing. Once it makes contact with somebody, it drops to 1500 volts delivered in extremely short pulses.

“It can stop the person moving, allowing police officers to remove the threat the person is posing to themselves or others.”