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05/05/2009
Increase In Taser Use Follows Rollout To More Officers
New figures published today show tasers were used 187 times and discharged 35 times by specially trained units in four months.
Figures from the period 1 September 2008 to 31 December 2008 have shown an increase in use following a successful trial in 10 forces across England and Wales to extend the use of tasers beyond dedicated firearms officers to specially trained police response officers.
Figures published today also include a breakdown of all taser use across England and Wales since it was first introduced in April 2004. Statistics revealed a total of 4,046 uses and 1181 discharges.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I am proud that we have one of the few police services around the world that do not regularly carry firearms and I want to keep it that way.
"But I am committed to giving the police the tools they need to get crime off our streets. tasers are making a real difference on our streets, not only keeping the public safe but also protecting our police officers.
Ms Smyth continued: "That is why I made funding of £8 million available to police forces to bid for tasers following the rollout of taser to specially trained police response officers in all forces. Along with this I also made an additional £2.3 million fund for cartridges to help ensure that this valuable form of defence is rolled out as quickly as possible."
The £8 million fund to support the national roll-out from the trial has already led to forces taking up 7000 new tasers.
(JM/BMcC)
Figures from the period 1 September 2008 to 31 December 2008 have shown an increase in use following a successful trial in 10 forces across England and Wales to extend the use of tasers beyond dedicated firearms officers to specially trained police response officers.
Figures published today also include a breakdown of all taser use across England and Wales since it was first introduced in April 2004. Statistics revealed a total of 4,046 uses and 1181 discharges.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I am proud that we have one of the few police services around the world that do not regularly carry firearms and I want to keep it that way.
"But I am committed to giving the police the tools they need to get crime off our streets. tasers are making a real difference on our streets, not only keeping the public safe but also protecting our police officers.
Ms Smyth continued: "That is why I made funding of £8 million available to police forces to bid for tasers following the rollout of taser to specially trained police response officers in all forces. Along with this I also made an additional £2.3 million fund for cartridges to help ensure that this valuable form of defence is rolled out as quickly as possible."
The £8 million fund to support the national roll-out from the trial has already led to forces taking up 7000 new tasers.
(JM/BMcC)
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