Surrey Police 'red-dotted' a teenager with a Taser before arresting him in connection to the knifepoint robbery of a Co-op in Redhill on Sunday (December 15).

The incident happened on Station Road in Redhill on Sunday evening.

Police officers were responding to reports of a knifepoint robbery that targeted the Co-op store in the area.

Before making an arrest, police said that officers aimed and "red-dotted" the 15-year-old teenager with a Taser without firing the weapon.

A Surrey Police spokesperson described the incident in more detail:

"Police were called to the Co-Op in Station Road around 7pm.

"The 15-year-old male from Redhill was detained nearby shortly after the robbery.

"A Taser was aimed at the teenager as a warning ("red-dotted") prior to his arrest.

"Officers attended after staff reported that the suspect threatened them with a knife before making off with a quantity of cigarettes.

"The teenager was interviewed and released on conditional bail until 4 January 2020."

The Comet contacted Surrey Police about their policy regarding the use of Tasers.

Surrey Police issued the following reply describing their approach to using the controversial stun weapons.

"The decision to deploy Taser is never taken lightly, and the deployment of Taser must always be determined to be proportionate, lawful, appropriate and necessary, based on the level of threat and risk apparent.

"Only officers who have been trained, and who have reached the required standard of competence, will be authorised to carry Tasers during routine patrol or during pre-planned operations where the deployment of Taser has been authorised.

"All officers trained in the use of Taser will be subject of annual re-accreditation, in accordance with national standards," a spokesperson said.

Police are still investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call police on 101, quoting crime reference number PR/45190134538.

Alternatively call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.