• Officers called to Chelfham Senior School near Plymouth at 9.20am on December 1 to deal with alleged assault on a teacher
  • Two boys, 14, and a 15-year-old Tasered for 'brandishing knives'
  • IPCC has now launched investigation in Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
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Probe: The IPCC has launched an inquiry into Devon and Cornwall Police after pupils at Chelfham Senior School (pictured) were Tasered
Police are being investigated after a group of schoolboys with learning difficulties were Tasered at a special needs school.

The police watchdog is supervising an investigation into how three boys - aged 14 and 15 - were blasted with a 50,000-volt electric stun gun.
Several police units were called to Chelfham Senior School near Plymouth, a special needs school owned by the exclusive Priory Group following an alleged assault on a teacher in a 'scuffle' with pupils.

Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old who were allegedly brandishing knives were Tasered on the school grounds by officers.

A male teacher suffered chest and facial injuries in the incident, which were not thought to be knife related.

The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Derriford Hospital.

The incident at the school, which specialises in children with learning difficulties including behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and autism, happened at 9.20pm on December 1.

Campaigners reacted with fury at the time saying the use of Taser on a vulnerable boy with a complex learning difficulty flouts police guidelines.

The day and residential school for boys and girls aged seven to 19 in the village of Bere Alston in the Devon countryside, is owned by the Priory Group, a private company known for its addiction clinics favoured by celebrities.

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The officers were called to deal with an alleged assault. Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old were apprehended
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now supervising an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

IPCC Associate Commissioner Tom Milsom said: 'From the review we have carried out of Taser complaints we have specific concerns about some of the ways and circumstances in which it is used.

'We have asked Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to carry out a supervised investigation into the incident at Chelfham Senior School so that the public can be reassured that the examination of this incident receives independent oversight.'

Last week the two 14-year-olds involved admitted affray at Plymouth Magistrates' Court.

The 15-year-old has not yet entered a plea.

Devon and Cornwall Police are also being investigated by the police watchdog after Andrew Pimlott, 32, died from burns when he was Tasered after dousing himself in fuel in April this year.