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Man dies in police Taser shooting in Newcastle-under-Lyme | Man dies in police Taser shooting in Newcastle-under-Lyme |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has died after being shot by police with a Taser during a suspected burglary in Staffordshire. | A man has died after being shot by police with a Taser during a suspected burglary in Staffordshire. |
Officers were responding to a reported break-in in Audley Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, shortly after 01:00 GMT. | Officers were responding to a reported break-in in Audley Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, shortly after 01:00 GMT. |
The occupants of the house had left before officers arrived, leaving the man inside. A Taser was discharged and the man was taken to a police vehicle. | The occupants of the house had left before officers arrived, leaving the man inside. A Taser was discharged and the man was taken to a police vehicle. |
He "became unresponsive" and despite the efforts of paramedics died a short time later, Staffordshire Police said. | He "became unresponsive" and despite the efforts of paramedics died a short time later, Staffordshire Police said. |
'Highest Taser use' | 'Highest Taser use' |
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). |
In a report by the IPCC in July, Staffordshire police were shown to have the highest use of Tasers per capita in the country. | In a report by the IPCC in July, Staffordshire police were shown to have the highest use of Tasers per capita in the country. |
An independent panel found that they were discharged on 72 occasions and drawn "as a deterrent" 547 times over nine years. | An independent panel found that they were discharged on 72 occasions and drawn "as a deterrent" 547 times over nine years. |
In September it emerged that a review into the use of Tasers by the force found that officers discharged them on one out of 10 occasions when they were drawn. | In September it emerged that a review into the use of Tasers by the force found that officers discharged them on one out of 10 occasions when they were drawn. |
The force used Tasers 33 times for every 100 officers in 2013, and a total of 619 times in nine years, according to the police watchdog. | The force used Tasers 33 times for every 100 officers in 2013, and a total of 619 times in nine years, according to the police watchdog. |
The force said the use of a Taser was "a last resort for officers". | The force said the use of a Taser was "a last resort for officers". |
What is a Taser? | |
The Taser fires two darts with a five-second, 50,000-volt charge, which can temporarily disable its target. | |
Its ammunition consists of a single-use compressed air cartridge which fires the darts and has to be replaced each time the weapon is fired. | |
Police guidelines stipulate that the device may be used where officers face "a risk of serious violence". | |
Tasers were introduced in England and Wales in 2003. In 2008 they were rolled out across England and Wales, and were not limited to specialist firearms officers. | Tasers were introduced in England and Wales in 2003. In 2008 they were rolled out across England and Wales, and were not limited to specialist firearms officers. |