MALE DETAINED ON THE SANDS AT RYDE AFTER CONCERN FOR WELFARE SEARCH

Police descended onto the sands at Ryde at first light this morning (Thursday) in response to concerns for the welfare of a man, later detaining him at taser point. At just before 06:00, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary deployed more than 6 officers to the seafront at Ryde in the search for a known male. HM Coastguard was also alerted to the situation with Ryde Inshore Rescue paged to launch their Rescue 2 lifeboat, and Coastguard Rescue Officers from Bembridge and Ventnor tasked to the scene. Police eventually located the male to the East of Ryde Marina, detaining him whilst ‘red dotting’ him with a taser and demanding he get on his hands and knees and put his hands behind his back. It has been confirmed that the male has since been detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to an appropriate facility. The incident was brought to a close by 06:50.