Axe-wielding woman stopped by plastic bullet

A firearms officer shooting a plastic bullet at an axe-wielding woman was “necessary and proportionate”, a police watchdog has found.

The armed officer fired a baton round at the woman when she ran towards officers and members of the public “apparently intent on striking them with an axe”, according to a report by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

The 48-year-old was temporarily disabled when the bullet hit her thigh, allowing police to disarm and arrest her.

The incident took place in the grounds of Craigmillar Castle in Edinburgh on March 31.