A 21-year-old from Southampton was Tasered by police on a quiet suburban street on Sunday night.

Surprised residents watched on in shock late on Sunday night as a 21-year-old was Tasered by police in Weston.

Police were patrolling the area on Sunday evening when they say they spotted the man driving over the speed limit, from Weston Lane to Kingsclere Avenue.

After stopping in Kingsclere Avenue, officers say the 21-year-old assaulted an officer and a Taser was used to detain the suspect.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police patrolling in Southampton on Sunday evening, March 17, saw a vehicle travelling at excess speed on Weston Lane at approximately 10.50pm.

“The vehicle came to a stop on Kingsclere Avenue and an officer was assaulted by the occupant of the car. Taser was discharged in order to ensure the safety of those at the scene.

“The car was searched and two knives and cannabis was located inside. The occupant of the car also tested positive for cannabis during a roadside drugs wipe.

“A 21-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of a controlled drug of Class B and driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

“He remains in police custody at the current time.”

A resident of Kingsclere Avenue, who wanted to remain unnamed, said: “There were more than 15 officers and around five or six police cars here last night.

“I heard all this shouting and I thought someone was being beaten up.

“I jumped up and ran over to my bathroom window and all I could see was blue lights – I thought my God, someone is being arrested.

“To be honest I think the police could have handled it a little better – do you really need to Taser someone when there is 15 of you and just one of them? I’m not so sure.  

“It must have been very hard for the police, they are just trying to do their job, but it did feel a bit over the top."