POLICE officers were "justified" in using an irritant spray to arrest two men armed with a machete.

The spray, known as PAVA, was used in an attempt to control a 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old man in Milngavie town centre on August 17, last year.

Police had been called to the scene by a CCTV operator who spotted the youngest man with a machete-type weapon trying to get into a local bar.

It was understood he had the intent of threatening or causing serious injury to a a person inside.

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Bar staff had also reported the incident.

The officers who went to the incident knew one of the men had previously stood trial on a charge of deliberately hitting and injuring a police officer with a car.

The independent Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) found that this knowledge influenced their choice of tactics when they arrived at the scene and saw the men attempting to flee the area in a car.

In an attempt to stop the vehicle, an officer struck the car with his baton then used PAVA spray on the passenger when he got out of the car and ran off.

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The officer also discharged his PAVA spray at the driver as he was manoeuvring the car. But, he managed to drive off.

The pair were later arrested and charged with a number of offences and have since been convicted.

The PIRC report found the "actions of officers were proportionate and justified, given that both men posed a threat to police and public safety".

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