FRONTLINE Cheshire police will getŠŠ82 stun guns as part of a new drive to extend weapon’s use beyond dedicated firearms officers.
While the Met Police refused to take advantage of the Government offer of tasers, dozens of other forces including Cheshire Constabulary got the number they requested.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced that 6,000 tasers – the first wave of £8m in new funding for the weapons – will be made available nationally.
Specially trained police response officers in Cheshire will get the guns after a successful trial.
An additional £2.3m fund is also being made available to pay for cartridges.
In situations where there has been a real possibility of someone being seriously injured or killed, tasers have contributed to resolving the incident without injury.
During the trial’s 661 recorded uses of tasers, 85% involved the weapon just being drawn, aimed or the subject being ‘red-dotted’ showing tasers as a powerful deterrent
