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17/04/2003
Police forces adopt taser pilot scheme
Five police forces across the UK are set to adopt a non-lethal stun gun in a pilot scheme starting today.
The operational trial of the Advanced Taser M26 will see it used by officers in the Met, Thames Valley, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and North Wales police forces.
The taser is an alternative to firearms and is effective up to a range of 21 feet. The M26 fires two prongs carrying a 50,000 volt sting which temporarily incapacitates the victim. Taser International, the company supplying the device, says that the M26 taser induces "electro-physical, involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle tissue" which "directly stimulates motor nerve and muscle tissue, causing incapacitation".
Police Complaints Authority deputy chair Wendy Towers, said: "We welcome the extension of the range of less lethal options open to police. The majority of people shot by police belong to a vulnerable population group, those who are drunk, mentally ill or suicidal and it is essential that the development of less lethal options takes account of this group."
Tom Smith, president of Taser International, said: "After two years of intense test and evaluation, we are elated to see the UK welcome our proven technology. This new technology will improve he capacity and professionalism of the British police."
However, human rights group Amnesty International has claimed that three people have allegedly died in the US in the past year after being struck with tasers.
Amnesty added: "Although most such deaths have been attributed to other factors, medical experts have expressed concern about the health risks associated with electro-shock weapons, as well as their potential for abuse."
The human rights group claimed that there had been "no thorough, independent and impartial evaluation of the medical effects of electro-shock weapons". Taser, however, say the weapon has been design tested by "over 1,000 law enforcement trainers". It takes around four hours to train officers to use it.
The beginning of the pilot scheme came on the same day that Home Secretary David Blunkett launched the anti-gun charity, the Disarm Trust.
At the launch, Mr Blunkett said: "I am pleased to support the Disarm Trust which I am sure will make a significant contribution to the drive to tackle gun crime. The government, working with the community, law enforcement agencies and others, is determined to rid our streets of firearms."
(GMcG)
The operational trial of the Advanced Taser M26 will see it used by officers in the Met, Thames Valley, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and North Wales police forces.
The taser is an alternative to firearms and is effective up to a range of 21 feet. The M26 fires two prongs carrying a 50,000 volt sting which temporarily incapacitates the victim. Taser International, the company supplying the device, says that the M26 taser induces "electro-physical, involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle tissue" which "directly stimulates motor nerve and muscle tissue, causing incapacitation".
Police Complaints Authority deputy chair Wendy Towers, said: "We welcome the extension of the range of less lethal options open to police. The majority of people shot by police belong to a vulnerable population group, those who are drunk, mentally ill or suicidal and it is essential that the development of less lethal options takes account of this group."
Tom Smith, president of Taser International, said: "After two years of intense test and evaluation, we are elated to see the UK welcome our proven technology. This new technology will improve he capacity and professionalism of the British police."
However, human rights group Amnesty International has claimed that three people have allegedly died in the US in the past year after being struck with tasers.
Amnesty added: "Although most such deaths have been attributed to other factors, medical experts have expressed concern about the health risks associated with electro-shock weapons, as well as their potential for abuse."
The human rights group claimed that there had been "no thorough, independent and impartial evaluation of the medical effects of electro-shock weapons". Taser, however, say the weapon has been design tested by "over 1,000 law enforcement trainers". It takes around four hours to train officers to use it.
The beginning of the pilot scheme came on the same day that Home Secretary David Blunkett launched the anti-gun charity, the Disarm Trust.
At the launch, Mr Blunkett said: "I am pleased to support the Disarm Trust which I am sure will make a significant contribution to the drive to tackle gun crime. The government, working with the community, law enforcement agencies and others, is determined to rid our streets of firearms."
(GMcG)
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06 August 2008
Home Office Reveal Rising Taser Gun Use Figures
Recent Home Office figures have revealed that Taser stun guns have been used more frequently over the past year. The figures have revealed that Northumbria Police discharged the guns 25 times in a nine-month trial, which was more often than the nine other forces involved.
Home Office Reveal Rising Taser Gun Use Figures
Recent Home Office figures have revealed that Taser stun guns have been used more frequently over the past year. The figures have revealed that Northumbria Police discharged the guns 25 times in a nine-month trial, which was more often than the nine other forces involved.
11 June 2008
Police Taser Man In Hospital Disturbance
A Taser gun has been used on a man who was threatening hospital staff with a syringe. The Taser was used to suppress the man who is reported to have been also threatening to stab himself at the Royal Preston Hospital on Tuesday night. A 37-year-old man had been arrested on a public order offence and is to be questioned.
Police Taser Man In Hospital Disturbance
A Taser gun has been used on a man who was threatening hospital staff with a syringe. The Taser was used to suppress the man who is reported to have been also threatening to stab himself at the Royal Preston Hospital on Tuesday night. A 37-year-old man had been arrested on a public order offence and is to be questioned.
22 July 2014
IPCC Questions Taser Use
Taser use should be monitored closely and each use robustly justified to ensure the device is being used appropriately, according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report published today.
IPCC Questions Taser Use
Taser use should be monitored closely and each use robustly justified to ensure the device is being used appropriately, according to an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report published today.
08 December 2010
Public Called Upon To Find Taser
Police are appealing for the assistance of the public in finding a Taser which has fallen from a police vehicle in Lambeth. An officer from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) CO19 Firearms Unit had attended a briefing at a firearms base in Norfolk Row, Lambeth yesterday between 7.00am and 8.30am.
Public Called Upon To Find Taser
Police are appealing for the assistance of the public in finding a Taser which has fallen from a police vehicle in Lambeth. An officer from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) CO19 Firearms Unit had attended a briefing at a firearms base in Norfolk Row, Lambeth yesterday between 7.00am and 8.30am.
07 December 2012
Amnesty Raise Concerns Over Police Taser Use
Amnesty International has raised concerns over police use of Tasers, saying that your chances of having the weapon used against you could depend more on where you live as forces are interpreting the rules differently.
Amnesty Raise Concerns Over Police Taser Use
Amnesty International has raised concerns over police use of Tasers, saying that your chances of having the weapon used against you could depend more on where you live as forces are interpreting the rules differently.
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