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Police to be armed with stun guns Police to be armed with stun guns
(40 minutes later)
About 30,000 police officers across all forces in England and Wales are to be trained to use Taser stun guns.About 30,000 police officers across all forces in England and Wales are to be trained to use Taser stun guns.
Currently, only specialist firearms officers carry the weapon, which can temporarily disable a suspect.Currently, only specialist firearms officers carry the weapon, which can temporarily disable a suspect.
But ministers will announce plans later to buy 10,000 more Tasers and extend their use to all frontline officers.But ministers will announce plans later to buy 10,000 more Tasers and extend their use to all frontline officers.
The Home Office says Tasers have helped to resolve incidents without injury but Amnesty International warns against using them as tools of routine force.The Home Office says Tasers have helped to resolve incidents without injury but Amnesty International warns against using them as tools of routine force.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the Sunday Times newspaper she wanted to give the police the tools they said they needed "to confront dangerous people".Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told the Sunday Times newspaper she wanted to give the police the tools they said they needed "to confront dangerous people".
Electric shockElectric shock
In recent years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires.In recent years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires.
TASER FACTS Deliver electric shocks to temporarily paralyse targetDo this by using compressed air to fire two darts that trail electric cable back to the handset Five-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cableLaser helps with aim. Gun works at up to 21ft (6.5m)When fired, up to 40 ID tags released identifying the officer 'I've been Tasered 200 times'Sharp shock to deal with violence TASER FACTS Deliver electric shocks to temporarily paralyse targetDo this by using compressed air to fire two darts that trail electric cable back to the handsetFive-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cableLaser helps with aim. Gun works at up to 21ft (6.5m)When fired, up to 40 ID tags released identifying the officer 'I've been Tasered 200 times'Sharp shock to deal with violence
Police officers in England and Wales have fired the 50,000-volt stun guns more than 1,000 times since 2004.Police officers in England and Wales have fired the 50,000-volt stun guns more than 1,000 times since 2004.
Now the Home Office is understood to be about to unveil plans to spend £8m on 10,000 new Tasers.Now the Home Office is understood to be about to unveil plans to spend £8m on 10,000 new Tasers.
This follows a year-long pilot scheme which saw their use extended to frontline officers in 10 police forces.This follows a year-long pilot scheme which saw their use extended to frontline officers in 10 police forces.
Alan Campbell, the Home Office minister responsible for crime reduction, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the government had taken independent medical advice and that Tasers were "low risk".Alan Campbell, the Home Office minister responsible for crime reduction, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the government had taken independent medical advice and that Tasers were "low risk".
He said: "They're used under very strict circumstances and there are very clear guidelines.He said: "They're used under very strict circumstances and there are very clear guidelines.
"Last year they were only used on 93 occasions out of the more than 600 that they were deployed. We don't expect them to be used as a weapon of choice routinely."Last year they were only used on 93 occasions out of the more than 600 that they were deployed. We don't expect them to be used as a weapon of choice routinely.
"I am sure one of the intentions is to make sure we don't need to use guns as often.""I am sure one of the intentions is to make sure we don't need to use guns as often."
The move has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).The move has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
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Police use a Taser stun gun to apprehend a manPolice use a Taser stun gun to apprehend a man
It said trials showed in the majority of cases Tasers helped police resolve incidents without resorting to a weapon.It said trials showed in the majority of cases Tasers helped police resolve incidents without resorting to a weapon.
Simon Reed, vice chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers, told BBC Radio 5Live officers dealing with violent incidents would benefit from the devices.Simon Reed, vice chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank-and-file officers, told BBC Radio 5Live officers dealing with violent incidents would benefit from the devices.
He said: "During the trial, which was for specially trained officers - and I stress not firearms officers, but normal patrol officers - the Tasers were drawn on 600-odd occasions and only actually discharged on 93 occasions.He said: "During the trial, which was for specially trained officers - and I stress not firearms officers, but normal patrol officers - the Tasers were drawn on 600-odd occasions and only actually discharged on 93 occasions.
"So it shows how measured and proportionate the use of that device was."So it shows how measured and proportionate the use of that device was.
"And it was for very serious violence or threats of violence.""And it was for very serious violence or threats of violence."
But Oliver Sprague, of Amnesty International UK, told the BBC's Today programme the organisation's research indicated more than 320 people had died in the US since 2001 after they were "Tasered".But Oliver Sprague, of Amnesty International UK, told the BBC's Today programme the organisation's research indicated more than 320 people had died in the US since 2001 after they were "Tasered".
He said the human rights organisation was especially concerned about the welfare of vulnerable people who had "emotional" problems or were under the influence of drugs.He said the human rights organisation was especially concerned about the welfare of vulnerable people who had "emotional" problems or were under the influence of drugs.
He said: "Amnesty is not opposed to the use of Tasers but they should be limited."He said: "Amnesty is not opposed to the use of Tasers but they should be limited."
Calling it an "extreme" step to have 10,000 of these weapons available to all officers, he said: "No matter how intensive the training is, the officers will only have had two days' worth."Calling it an "extreme" step to have 10,000 of these weapons available to all officers, he said: "No matter how intensive the training is, the officers will only have had two days' worth."
But Mr Campbell said he did not recognise the figures Amnesty had quoted and said all officers would receive the correct training.But Mr Campbell said he did not recognise the figures Amnesty had quoted and said all officers would receive the correct training.
Mr Sprague had called on the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to urgently review the decision and ensure Tasers were handled by a small number of fully-trained officers.Mr Sprague had called on the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to urgently review the decision and ensure Tasers were handled by a small number of fully-trained officers.
Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik told Radio 5live he did not believe the weapons should be made available to ordinary officers.Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik told Radio 5live he did not believe the weapons should be made available to ordinary officers.
"We're talking about increasing the firepower of the police in a way that I think brutalises the entire service," he said."We're talking about increasing the firepower of the police in a way that I think brutalises the entire service," he said.