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See other news storiesTaser use increases as more trained officers are given authority to use them
12 May 2008
The number of Taser uses and discharges has increased as more trained police officers have the authority to use them, new figures from the Home Office show.
The latest figures show that Tasers were used 252 times between 1 September 2007 and 29 February 2008. Tasers were actually only discharged in 31 situations, indicating that drawing or aiming the Taser is enough of a deterrent in most situations.
Ten police forces across the country have been taking part in a 12-month trial, launched on 1 September, which has seen Taser being used by specially trained units who are not firearm officers, but could face similarly violent circumstances.
All of the officers involved have been fully trained in the use of Taser and will only be using it in strict accordance with Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidelines.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said, ‘Tasers have contributed to resolving incidents without injury where otherwise there would have been a real possibility of someone being seriously injured or killed.
‘Protection of officers and members of the public is clearly our highest priority. The government will be closely monitoring the trial to evaluate Taser's benefits against any risks.’
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) has also produced a breakdown of all Taser use across England and Wales (new window) since Tasers were introduced for authorised firearms officers in April 2004.
