Two people have died after police officers called to a hostel in South Wales fired a taser on one suspect.

Police arrived at the Sirhowy Arms hotel in Argoed, Blackwood at 1.23am this morning where a man was reportedly attacking a woman. The woman was injured and later died.

Gwent Police confirmed that a taser had been discharged and the man was arrested. They added: "Whilst under arrest, the man became unresponsive. Officers and paramedics administered first aid but he has since been pronounced deceased."

The man and woman were both pronounced dead at the scene. Police have now referred the incident to the IPCC. 

The Sirhowy Arms Hotel was often used by homeless people waiting to be housed. The community councillor for Argoed, Leon Gardiner, told ITV News that the establishment was "run magnificently by the owners."

He added: "It's a very well run place and every time I've been there it's been a pleasure."

The IPCC expressed "major concerns" in July regarding the overuse of police Tasers, saying that the stun gun could lead to officers becoming "increasingly reliant on using force to gain compliance". Use of Tasers has trebled since 2009. In 2013, officers used the weapon 10,380 times. 

In October, Theresa May ordered an in-depth review into the use of force after it emerged that 30% of people Tasered by the Metropolitan police are emotionally or mentally distressed, and 50% of those Tasered are from black or other minority ethnic backgrounds.