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| More UK police to get stun guns | More UK police to get stun guns |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| More frontline police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. | More frontline police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. |
| Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. | Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can be used only by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. |
| The Home Secretary John Reid made the announcement at the Police Federation's annual conference. | The Home Secretary John Reid made the announcement at the Police Federation's annual conference. |
| Amnesty International has criticised the move, which would also change the circumstances in which officers can deploy Tasers. | Amnesty International has criticised the move, which would also change the circumstances in which officers can deploy Tasers. |
| The group claims the devices can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. | The group claims the devices can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. |
| Amnesty argues the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. | Amnesty argues the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. |
| But in a speech in Blackpool, the home secretary said there would a year-long pilot from September subject to medical approval. | But in a speech in Blackpool, the home secretary said there would a year-long pilot from September subject to medical approval. |
| The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. The trial will involve about a quarter of the 43 forces in England and Wales. | The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. The trial will involve about a quarter of the 43 forces in England and Wales. |
| TASER FACTS Deliver electric shocks to temporarily paralyse targetDo this by using compressed air to fire two darts that trail electric cable back to the handsetFive-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cableLaser helps with aim. Gun works at up to 21ft (6.5m)When fired, up to 40 ID tags released identifying the officer href="ID=">'I've been Tasered 200 times' class="" href="#taser">Police stun gun diagram | |
| Officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted by someone with a weapon. | Officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted by someone with a weapon. |
| Mr Reid told police officers he agreed with Police Federation calls for an expansion of Tasers and recognised the risks they faced. | Mr Reid told police officers he agreed with Police Federation calls for an expansion of Tasers and recognised the risks they faced. |
| "You deserve our protection," he said. "I want them to be available to other specially trained teams - not just firearms officers - sent in to deal with severe violence or threats of violence. I hope that from September this year we can start a trial." | "You deserve our protection," he said. "I want them to be available to other specially trained teams - not just firearms officers - sent in to deal with severe violence or threats of violence. I hope that from September this year we can start a trial." |
| Standard equipment | Standard equipment |
| During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. | During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. |
| They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. | They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. |
| A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only specially trained firearms officers can use them. Armed response vehicles in London also carry the stun gun. | A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only specially trained firearms officers can use them. Armed response vehicles in London also carry the stun gun. |
| A sub-committee of Britain's Defence Scientific Advisory Council looked at the medical implications of Taser use in 2004. | A sub-committee of Britain's Defence Scientific Advisory Council looked at the medical implications of Taser use in 2004. |
| It concluded that the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the M26 gun used by police in England and Wales was "very low". | It concluded that the risk of life-threatening or serious injuries from the M26 gun used by police in England and Wales was "very low". |
| Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said his members welcomed an expansion of Taser. | Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, said his members welcomed an expansion of Taser. |
| "If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser," he said. | "If there is a need to use force then in some circumstances it would be better to use a Taser," he said. |
| "It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas. | "It's not fair to compare us with US-style policing. You won't see people tasered for traffic offences. Officers will use it responsibly. At the moment they have a baton and CS gas. |
| "There is no long-term effect with Taser. But if someone is batoned or [gassed] there are long-term effects." | "There is no long-term effect with Taser. But if someone is batoned or [gassed] there are long-term effects." |
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