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Gwent Police mistakenly use 'pepper spray' on four-year-olds | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Children as young as four have been mistakenly sprayed with "hot chilli" by Gwent Police. | Children as young as four have been mistakenly sprayed with "hot chilli" by Gwent Police. |
On Wednesday, officers visited Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed, in Bargoed, Caerphilly county, and gave a lesson on equipment used by the force. | On Wednesday, officers visited Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed, in Bargoed, Caerphilly county, and gave a lesson on equipment used by the force. |
But instead of demonstrating a mock PAVA spray, which replaced CS spray, officers discharged a real canister. | But instead of demonstrating a mock PAVA spray, which replaced CS spray, officers discharged a real canister. |
The spray, used on eight pupils aged four and five, causes the eyes to close and is extremely painful. | The spray, used on eight pupils aged four and five, causes the eyes to close and is extremely painful. |
None of them needed hospital treatment, said the force, which has apologised for the error. | None of them needed hospital treatment, said the force, which has apologised for the error. |
"Parents were contacted by a senior officer to explain what happened, discuss any concerns and offer our sincere apologies," a spokesman said. | "Parents were contacted by a senior officer to explain what happened, discuss any concerns and offer our sincere apologies," a spokesman said. |
"Medical treatment wasn't required on the day, however, parents were advised to seek medical attention if they had any concerns. | "Medical treatment wasn't required on the day, however, parents were advised to seek medical attention if they had any concerns. |
"Further enquiries into the error are now being undertaken and, as a result of yesterday's incident, school liaison officers will no longer be taking any demonstration (mock) PAVA spray into schools." | "Further enquiries into the error are now being undertaken and, as a result of yesterday's incident, school liaison officers will no longer be taking any demonstration (mock) PAVA spray into schools." |
PAVA (pelargonic acid vanillylamide) is a synthetic version of pepper spray. It replaced CS spray because it was said to be safer and more effective when restraining suspects. | |
It is claimed it is less likely to contaminate officers or bystanders. | It is claimed it is less likely to contaminate officers or bystanders. |
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