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Search for press releasesNew Taser figures announced
12 November 2009
The use of Tasers by specially-trained units slowed in the last quarter, according to new figures published today.
Every police force in the country was this year given the right to issue Tasers to non-firearms officers with specialist training. The move followed a successful 12-month trial in ten forces across the country.
The new figures record the use of Tasers for the second quarter of the year and show they were used 169 times by specially trained units from April to June, down from 250 in the previous quarter. Officers discharged them 36 times over the period, compared to 62 for the preceding period.
Units have now used Tasers 1,267 times since the trial began in September 2007. They were discharged 226 times.
Statement by the Crime and Security Minister
David Hanson MP said, 'Tasers are a vital tool which help frontline officers tackle violent crime and defuse dangerous situations.
'They help protect the public and keep police officers safe.
'Tasers do not even have to be discharged for them to make a crucial difference in dangerous or violent situations – often just drawing or aiming the weapon has proved enough of a deterrent.'
Notes to editors
View the latest Taser figures (new window).
The trial was undertaken in ten forces: Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gwent, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Metropolitan Police Service, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, North Wales and West Yorkshire.
Explanation of different terms for Taser:
- Taser ‘use’ includes any time a Taser is drawn, aimed, red-dotted, arced, drive-stunned, or discharged.
- Drawn: officer draws Taser which a person could perceive as a 'use of force' whether or not accompanied by a verbal warning
- Aimed: the Taser is aimed at a person but the safety is not removed (i.e. the red dot laser sight is not activated)
- Red dot: the safety is removed and the red dot laser sight is activated and placed on a subject but the Taser is not fired
- Arced: the Taser is sparked without a cartridge being fired
- Drive Stun: the Taser is pressed against a person and cycled — this imparts a shock without firing the probes/barbs
- Discharge: the Taser is fired and the probes/barbs are discharged towards the subject
