A man who wielded a knife during a racist confrontation in Ewell was shot by police with a "baton round" on Saturday night (June 27).

The 42-year-old, who police revealed to be Epsom man Damian Dolor, has since been charged with "racially aggravated threatening behaviour under section 4 of the Public Order Act" Surrey Police said on Sunday.

The confrontation happened around 8.40pm on Gatley Avenue in Ewell.

Police descended on the scene after they were told a man had been making "racially aggravated" threats and wielding a knife at others in the area.

Your Local Guardian: A baton round in Northern Ireland. Police used a similar round to shoot a man involved in a racist incident in Ewell. Image via wikipediaA baton round in Northern Ireland. Police used a similar round to shoot a man involved in a racist incident in Ewell. Image via wikipedia

In a statement police said they had shot a man believed to be Dolor with a "baton round", a plastic or rubber bullet designed to be 'non-lethal', and that he was taken to hospital afterwards.

"During the incident police deployed a baton round against a man in his 40s.

"He was taken to hospital as a precaution, and later discharged with minor injuries (bruising to his stomach).

"He has been arrested on suspicion of affray and racially aggravated public order. He has now been taken to custody for questioning."

A day later, police confirmed that Dolor had been charged and will attend a Magistrates Court.

Baton rounds were designed to be used as "non-lethal" force for security organizations like the police but have resulted in deaths before, including at least 14 in Northern Island between 1970 and 2005.