A man has been taken to hospital after being shot with a Taser as he refused to hand over a weapon to police.

Armed response officers were called to Maidstone Road, Wigmore, at about 5.25am today after receiving calls saying a man was walking about brandishing what was believed to be a gun.

Officers searched the area and found the 28-year-old man, who has not been named, but he would not put down the weapon, thought to be an imitation firearm.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: “As a result, officers at the scene discharged Taser and struck the man.

“He has been taken to hospital as a precaution but is not thought to be seriously injured.

One man who saw the area sealed off, but didn’t want to be named said: “The scene of the incident remains cordoned off while officers carry out an investigation.

“Residents including children were given police escorts past the scene as they made their way to school and traffic was diverted around Georgian Way.

“About a dozen homes were sealed off during the incident.”

Officers are waiting for the man to receive treatment before arresting anyone in connection with the matter.