Police fire taser guns 164 times

Last Modified: 12 May 2008
Source: PA News

Police fired Taser guns more than 150 times in a three-month period, Home Office figures showed.

The latest statistics showed electric stun weapons were used 164 times between December last year and the end of February.

Last year the Home Office relaxed the rules on the use of the weapons, which deliver a 50,000 volt disabling shock.

Tasers were permitted for use without a firearms authority for the first time in July.

And in September ministers launched a pilot programme among 10 forces in England and Wales in which non-firearms officers could use Tasers for the first time.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said Tasers enabled officers to arrest suspects without the use of lethal force.

He 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.

"In most cases they have not needed to be fired, drawing or aiming the Taser has been enough of a deterrent.

"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."

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