Woman was brandishing toy weapon in Heath Road, Wonford: www.thisisexeter.co.uk. 07/06/10

POLICE have revealed a woman who was shot by armed officers after she appeared to wave a weapon in her garden had been brandishing a toy gun.
As previously reported in the Echo, the 49-year-old was shot in the arm with a baton gun, which fires plastic bullets, to disarm her.
The woman had earlier threatened to harm herself.

She told police that if they did not go to her house in the city, she would go into the road and start shooting.
Six firearms officers swooped on Heath Road, off Quarry Lane, Wonford, during the incident last week after an emergency call from the woman.

The woman was taken to hospital and was later arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. She is due to answer bail at Heavitree Road police station tomorrow.
Police say they believe two items seized from the woman during the incident are imitation firearms. They have warned of the danger of possessing such objects.
Detective Constable Claire Drinnan, of Exeter CID, said: "The woman had in her possession what police believe to be two imitation guns.
"To the untrained eye, these weapons can look like the real thing and you cannot take the risk.
"They were the colour, shape and size of a real gun.
"The woman was waving them around in her front garden, which would have been terrifying for anyone in the area. The object does not have to be a real weapon to cause fear."

Police have also revealed how vital the use of the force helicopter was during the dramatic incident.
The helicopter was launched to provide aerial assistance to the officers on the ground.
Detective Constable Drinnan said: "We were able to track the woman from the air even when officers on the ground could not see her.
"The helicopter was essential in surveying the situation and relaying information to officers on the ground.
"At one point, the woman was at the back of the premises and there was no way in which officers could get round the rear of the property to be able to obtain a safe view of her.
"By utilising the helicopter, officers were able to tell police on the ground that she had a weapon in her possession."

Neighbours returning home as the incident was unfolding were kept back from their homes until it was all over.
Plastic baton guns used by armed police were authorised by the Home Office as a "less lethal" option to conventional arms several years ago.
They fire a single shot at a time and identify their target with a red dot.
The guns fire circular plastic rounds that can knock down a person from 25 metres when they are aimed at the stomach. They can kill if aimed at the head or upper body.