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Aston Villa fans plan tribute to Dalian Atkinson after Taser death Aston Villa fans plan tribute to Dalian Atkinson after Taser death
(about 3 hours later)
Aston Villa fans are planning to pay tribute to the club's former striker Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by police.Aston Villa fans are planning to pay tribute to the club's former striker Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by police.
The weapon was used on the 48-year-old at his father's house in Trench, in Telford, in the early hours on Monday.The weapon was used on the 48-year-old at his father's house in Trench, in Telford, in the early hours on Monday.
He went into cardiac arrest on his way to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His death is being investigated.He went into cardiac arrest on his way to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His death is being investigated.
Supporters will hold a minute's applause during the club's Championship game against Huddersfield later.Supporters will hold a minute's applause during the club's Championship game against Huddersfield later.
It will begin 10 minutes into the game at Villa Park as 10 was Atkinson's shirt number, the club said.It will begin 10 minutes into the game at Villa Park as 10 was Atkinson's shirt number, the club said.
'Weakened heart''Weakened heart'
Umbrellas will also be held up at various locations around the ground during the tribute to commemorate the moment a fan held an umbrella over Atkinson's head after the Villa star celebrated scoring a memorable goal against Wimbledon in the 1992-93 season.Umbrellas will also be held up at various locations around the ground during the tribute to commemorate the moment a fan held an umbrella over Atkinson's head after the Villa star celebrated scoring a memorable goal against Wimbledon in the 1992-93 season.
Geoff Scott, chairman of Xpro, which helps ex-footballers and their families, said the charity had been contacted by Atkinson's family for help after he was taken to hospital earlier this year.
'On his day he was unplayable''On his day he was unplayable'
Home Office statistics show there were 10,329 uses of Tasers by police in England and Wales in 2015, a 2% increase on the previous year.Home Office statistics show there were 10,329 uses of Tasers by police in England and Wales in 2015, a 2% increase on the previous year.
Calum Macleod, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers have a minimal amount of time in which to decide whether to deploy a Taser.Calum Macleod, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers have a minimal amount of time in which to decide whether to deploy a Taser.
'Tool in a tool kit''Tool in a tool kit'
"If people had the time to sit there and research medical history and research potential implications, the worst-case scenario could be that someone could be dead," he said."If people had the time to sit there and research medical history and research potential implications, the worst-case scenario could be that someone could be dead," he said.
"Officers are called to deal with situations that arise in the blink of an eye and invariably have to be dealt with within that time-frame."Officers are called to deal with situations that arise in the blink of an eye and invariably have to be dealt with within that time-frame.
"We have to be able to run towards danger when it occurs. We have to be able to protect the public and protect ourselves. This is not the panacea to solve every problem but it is an option. It is a tool in a tool kit.""We have to be able to run towards danger when it occurs. We have to be able to protect the public and protect ourselves. This is not the panacea to solve every problem but it is an option. It is a tool in a tool kit."
In a statement, the UK chapter of Black Lives Matter said black people were three times more likely to have Tasers used on them in the UK today, and those with mental health issues were potentially more at risk.In a statement, the UK chapter of Black Lives Matter said black people were three times more likely to have Tasers used on them in the UK today, and those with mental health issues were potentially more at risk.
"The increased use of Tasers by police forces in England and Wales has been commonly presented as a non-lethal alternative to the use of firearms. However, as the tragic death of Dalian Atkinson and at least 10 other such cases in England and Wales over the last decade show, all too often Taser use is fatal.""The increased use of Tasers by police forces in England and Wales has been commonly presented as a non-lethal alternative to the use of firearms. However, as the tragic death of Dalian Atkinson and at least 10 other such cases in England and Wales over the last decade show, all too often Taser use is fatal."
Many of Atkinson's former team-mates and clubs he played for have paid tribute to the ex-striker, described by former manager at Villa and Sheffield Wednesday Ron Atkinson as popular in the dressing room with "terrific ability".Many of Atkinson's former team-mates and clubs he played for have paid tribute to the ex-striker, described by former manager at Villa and Sheffield Wednesday Ron Atkinson as popular in the dressing room with "terrific ability".
His death has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).His death has been referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
West Mercia Police said it responded to a report expressing concern for the safety of an individual at about 01:30 BST on Monday.West Mercia Police said it responded to a report expressing concern for the safety of an individual at about 01:30 BST on Monday.
Neighbour Paula Quinn, who lives in a first-floor flat near Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close said she saw officers shouting and kicking him before the Taser was deployed several times.Neighbour Paula Quinn, who lives in a first-floor flat near Atkinson's father's house in Meadow Close said she saw officers shouting and kicking him before the Taser was deployed several times.
She told the Shropshire Star newspaper the former footballer had "seemed a bit, perhaps, inebriated".She told the Shropshire Star newspaper the former footballer had "seemed a bit, perhaps, inebriated".
He was declared dead at 03:00 at Princess Royal Hospital, in Telford.He was declared dead at 03:00 at Princess Royal Hospital, in Telford.
Mr Atkinson's nephew, Fabian, said his uncle was having dialysis treatment for kidney problems which had weakened his heart.Mr Atkinson's nephew, Fabian, said his uncle was having dialysis treatment for kidney problems which had weakened his heart.
He said it should be "mandatory" to deploy an ambulance when a Taser was going to be used.He said it should be "mandatory" to deploy an ambulance when a Taser was going to be used.
West Mercia Police is not commenting further on the incident while the IPCC investigation is on-going, but confirmed that no officers had been suspended following the incident.West Mercia Police is not commenting further on the incident while the IPCC investigation is on-going, but confirmed that no officers had been suspended following the incident.
The watchdog said "the level and type of force used" was one of the elements of its investigation into police contact with Mr Atkinson before his death.The watchdog said "the level and type of force used" was one of the elements of its investigation into police contact with Mr Atkinson before his death.