Police tried to persuade the man to hand over a knife

The gun was used by police on Sunday to disarm a teenager who was carrying a knife.

A plastic bullet was fired at the 18-year-old to make him drop the knife.

It was the first time such a weapon was used by police in the county since their introduction in November 2002.

Police were called to a house in the Coney Hill area of Gloucester, after reports of a disturbance.

The officers said they spent some time trying to persuade the man to put down the knife.

A single plastic baton round was then fired at the teenager when he refused.

'Rapid resolution'

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. A man is now helping police with enquiries.

Gloucestershire Police voluntarily referred the incident to the PCA.

PCA member David Petch said: "I was very reassured to hear that no members of the public or the police were harmed and that the injuries to the young man were minimal.

"This demonstrates the value of baton rounds in bringing such incidents to a rapid resolution with a much reduced risk of serious injury."