Police stun guns reduce rate of injuries during violent arrests

Tasers are now being carried by specially trained non-firearms officers in North Yorkshire Police after the decision was taken to increase the use of the weapons.

Official figures have revealed that injuries to officers involved in violent arrests have fallen to the lowest level since 2005 after 110 additional specially trained members of the force were allowed to use tasers from May 15.

The results for the first three months of the roll-out show tasers were drawn at 40 incidents across North Yorkshire, with six of those resulting in the weapons being fired at the suspect.

Senior officers have claimed the fact that no-one suffered any long-lasting effects or injuries has validated the decision to allow the wider use of tasers.

However, Amnesty International yesterday re-iterated its concerns over the use of tasers and the injuries which have been linked to the stun guns.

According to the human rights group, more than 390 people have died since 2001 after being struck by police tasers in the United States.

In March 2009, 15-year-old Brett Elder from Michigan died after officers used a taser while responding to reports of unruly behaviour at a party.

A coroner ruled that the teenager died from alcohol-induced delirium with the taser's shocks a contributory factor.

An Amnesty International UK spokesperson said: "Amnesty recognises the very difficult job police officers have to do.

"But tasers are potentially lethal weapons and that's why wide deployment without adequate training is a dangerous step too far for British policing.

"Tasers should only be given to a limited number of highly-skilled specialist officers, responding to genuinely life-threatening or very dangerous situations.

"Officers must be trained to the same high standard as for using a firearm, receiving intensive, ongoing training to make sure they only use these dangerous weapons in the right situations."

However, senior officers at the North Yorkshire force have hit back at any concerns over tasers.

A report to the North Yorkshire Police Authority has revealed that the deployment of the tasers was "proportionate and appropriate" and no confusion arose over whether to deploy traditional firearms or the stun guns.

Officers' confidence in dealing with confrontational incidents has also increased as a result, according to the report. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: "We are very pleased with the findings of the report which reveals the effectiveness of taser in resolving violent incidents.

"The low rate of actual discharge demonstrates our officers' professionalism and restraint in what are often very challenging situations.

"Using tasers has resulted in swifter and safer conclusions to confrontational incidents which could otherwise have resulted in physical contact and potential injuries to both officers, offenders and members of the public.

"It also means less officer time is lost through injury and recovery.

"In many situations, the sight or threat of a taser is enough to resolve a situation. This is demonstrated by the figures showing that a taser is fired at only one in nine incidents where it is authorised."

Senior officers from North Yorkshire Police announced in 2005 that they were adopting the taser stun gun for their specially-trained firearms units following a two-year pilot scheme by five other forces in England and Wales.

While there are concerns over its safety, the taser has been heralded as a less lethal option to traditional guns and pistols.

The devices fire a 50,000-volt surge of electricity down wires which attach themselves to suspects by two prongs fired from a handheld gun.