A WANTED man who tried to climb over a school fence while on the run was tasered by police.

The 40-year-old is in custody after the police chase this afternoon near Broadfield East Junior School, in Crawley.

Police subdued him with two tasers before being arrested on suspicion of theft from a car. He was already wanted on theft and fraud allegations when he was stopped in Vulcan Close.

At least four police cars, a van and eight officers were reportedly called to the scene. Eye witnesses reported seeing the man running towards a nearby allotment chased by police.

A 44-year-old man, who saw the incident unfold, said: “I saw a police officer out of the corner of my eye shouting at a man as they ran towards the allotment. He tried to scale a high gate but a yellow Taser gun was fired at him. He appeared to fall. I don’t think the Taser was hugely effective because 30 seconds later he was up and ran towards the school.

“He slipped on the road in a lay-by where teachers and parents park their cars and tried to run back the way he came. Then he was caught by a police officer who had him on the ground and it was pretty much all over.

“Then another police car arrived and other police officer got out, ran over and slipped on the grass.”

A police spokesman said: “He did run off initially and tried to climb a fence into the school grounds. Officers never lost sight of him.”

The Argus has contacted the school for comment.