More police armed with stun guns

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More frontline police officers in England and Wales are to be armed with 50,000-volt Taser stun guns, the government has confirmed.

Under the new rules, use of Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - will no longer be limited to trained firearms officers.

A 12-month trial will also extend the circumstances in which officers can deploy the controversial weapons.

Amnesty International opposes the move, claiming the guns can be lethal.

At present, the weapon can only be used by firearms officers confronted by an armed person.

But from 20 July, firearms officers will be able to use them if they face severe violence or threats and need to use force to protect the public, themselves or the suspect.

Tasers will also be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads.

'Low risk'

Moves to extend the use of Tasers were first proposed by then Home Secretary John Reid in May.

The proposals were then sent to a special committee for medical assessment, which confirmed that "the risk of death or serious injury from Tasers remains low".

Home Office minister Tony McNulty added: "All Taser deployments will continue to be monitored and a detailed report of every deployment will be produced."

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 <a class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6661617.stm">I've been Tasered 200 times'</a> <a class="" href="#taser">Police stun gun diagram</a>

The year-long trial will run in the following forces: Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gwent, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Metropolitan Police Service, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, North Wales and West Yorkshire.

'Responsible' use

During the last four 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.

More than 3,000 of the devices have been distributed to special firearms officers since their introduction in 2003. Armed response vehicles in London also carry the stun gun.

Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said his members welcomed an expansion of Taser use.

"If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser," he said.

"It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas.

"There is no long-term effect with Taser. But if someone is batoned or [gassed] there are long-term effects."

Amnesty International has opposed the use of the US-manufactured weapons, arguing the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in the US and Canada.

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