Statistics for the first quarter of 2009 are the first
published since all police forces were authorised to give
Tasers to non-firearms officers specially-trained to use
the devices.
This followed a successful 12-month trial in ten forces
across the country last year.
The new figures reveal the devices were used 250 times by
specially trained units in the last quarter, up from 187 in
the previous quarter. The units discharged them 62 times in
the three months to April, compared to 35 in the last three
months of 2008.
Specially trained units have now used Tasers 1,098 times
since the trial began in September 2007. They were
discharged 190 times.
Policing, Crime and Security Minister MP said:
"I am determined to give police all the tools they need to
crack down on violent crime. Tasers are a vital tool
for our frontline officers and that is why we allowed
forces to issue them to specially-trained units.
“They are making a real difference on our streets and
helping to keep both the public and our police officers
safe.
“Tasers have helped defuse dangerous situations where
people could have been seriously injured or even killed.
And often just the threat of the device is enough. On many
occasions, drawing or aiming a Taser has proved enough of a
deterrent.”
Notes to Editors
The latest taser figures are available to view at http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/hosdb/about-us/news/648763
