A man has died after being arrested by police who used a Taser

The police watchdog has launched an investigation following the death of a man after he was Tasered by police.

Dale Burns, 27, was Tasered several times at his flat in Barrow-in-Furness on Tuesday night as officers tried to arrest him on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Mr Burns, who was also sprayed with pepper spray during the attempted arrest, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out as soon as possible.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said an investigation had begun, with investigators in Barrow gathering evidence, examining police logs and getting initial accounts from officers.

The watchdog said officers were called to the upstairs flat in Hartington Street at around 6.30pm to a report of a "concern for welfare" for a man inside.

Police attended 10 minutes later and after speaking to the man decided to call an ambulance which then arrived. The IPCC said: "Police attempted to arrest the man on suspicion of causing criminal damage at the flat.

"During the arrest one officer discharged a taser at the man a number of times.

"Another officer deployed Pava spray (commonly known as pepper spray). The taser deployed is understood to be a conventional police weapon."

The IPCC said Mr Burns was restrained and taken to Furness General Hospital by police at around 7.30pm, where his condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at 8.41pm.

PA