Home Office Releases New Figures On Use Of Devices

New figures produced by the Home Office have revealed that tasers were used 5,107 times by police in England and Wales in the first six months of this year.

The statistics revealed that discharges of the devices accounted for 19 per cent of use, with the most common use at 52 per cent being ‘red dot’ – which is when the taser is deliberately aimed and then activated so a laser is placed on the subject.

Full firings - when the trigger is pulled, probes are fired towards the subject with the intention of completing an electrical circuit and delivering an incapacitating effect – accounted for 16 per cent of uses.

Looking at wider trends, the figures revealed that use of tasers increased significantly from 3,128 to 10,380 between 2009 and 2013.

According to the Home Office, every incident in which a taser is deployed is recorded by local police forces, with such data including information on the operational effectiveness and medical implications if the use of such devices.

If you or a loved one have been unfairly treated or unlawfully arrested by the police, our police complaints solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Protecting Your Rights page for more information or inquire online.

Expert Opinion

We act for individuals who have been tasered in situations where the use of such an extreme measure cannot be justified and is unlawful. <br/> <br/>"In particular, we act for those who have mental health problems or learning difficulties and where police officers failed to consider whether a taser was justified in light of the individuals’ particular needs. The inappropriate use of a taser can result in long-term psychological damage. <br/> <br/>"These figures demonstrate that taser use remains very common. It is imperative that all officers are appropriately trained, supervised and supported in the use of tasers to ensure that such an extreme measure is used only as an absolute last resort."