BOBBIES on the beat in Burnley and Pendle will be armed with tear-gas spray within a few weeks.

It is being added to the police armoury of American-style side batons and fixed handcuffs as part of a county-wide move.

Officers across the area have begun training on how and when to use the CS spray, including what it is like to be on the receiving end.

Before squirting the spray they will have, by law, to say they intend to use it.

Chief Inspector Jim Artingstall is overseeing its introduction.

He said: "There are very firm guidelines how the spray can be used. It can be used in self defence or to prevent an offence being committed when the officer considers lower levels of force inappropriate in the circumstances.

"It's not a huge cloud of gas it's a pinpoint-thin, tiny jet which is used to incapacitate an offender. There are three to five minutes of discomfort and within 15 minutes the person is fully recovered.

"The spray is a lower level of force than the baton, because if someone is struck there can be serious injury."

Mr Artingstall said the police would continue to use talking as their main weapon to defuse awkward or difficult situations.

He said: "We always use dialogue with the person to attempt to defuse a situation. Force is not a first option."

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