Taser guns are zapping crime

Taser use in England and Wales has gone up since their deployment was extended beyond dedicated police firearms officers, new figures show.

The rise follows a successful trial in 10 forces which have specially trained police response officers. Following the trial, Tasers were given to all response officers in all forces, including Greater Manchester, from December.

Tasers work by shooting probes at a suspect and temporarily stunning the person with up to 50,000 volts. The Home Office says in a significant number of cases they have not needed to be fired — drawing or aiming the Taser has been enough of a deterrent.

Figures published today also include a breakdown of all Taser use since they were first introduced in April 2004, a total of 4,046 uses and 1,181 discharges.

In Greater Manchester, there were 46 uses over the period, including 19 discharges using the barbs, eight where the Taser was pressed against a person and discharged a shock without firing the probes, and 18 where the red dot target was aimed at a suspect, but the Taser was not fired.

In one case simply drawing the Taser was a deterrent.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “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.”

Funding of £8 million has been available to police forces taking up 7,000 new Tasers.