May 5, 2009: Taser Use Rises

New figures, just published, show Tasers were used 187 times and discharged 35 times by specially trained police units in the period 1 September 2008 to the 31 December 2008. Taser 'use' includes any time a Taser is drawn, aimed, red-dotted, arced, drive-stunned, or discharged.

Taser figures have shown an increase in use following a successful trial in 10 police forces across England and Wales to extend the use of Tasers beyond dedicated firearms officers to specially trained police response officers. Following the trial Taser was rolled-out to all forces from December 2008.

The new figures also include a breakdown of all Taser use across England and Wales since it was first introduced in April 2004. Statistics revealed a total of 4,046 uses and 1181 discharges.

Tasers are promoted as an invaluable tool in promoting public and police safety. In situations where there has been a real possibility of someone being seriously injured or killed, it is argued, Tasers have contributed to resolving the incident without injury. In a significant proportion of cases they have not needed to be fired; drawing or aiming the Taser has been enough of a deterrent.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith commented:

'I am proud that we have one of the few police services around the world that do not regularly carry firearms and I want to keep it that way. But I am committed to giving the police the tools they need to get crime off our streets. Tasers are making a real difference on our streets, not only keeping the public safe but also protecting our police officers.

'That is why I made funding of £8 million available to police forces to bid for Tasers following the rollout of Taser to specially trained police response officers in all forces. Along with this I also made an additional £2.3 million fund for cartridges to help ensure that this valuable form of defence is rolled out as quickly as possible.'

The £8 million fund to support the national roll-out from the trial has already led to forces taking up 7000 new Tasers.

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