Rise in Sussex Police use of Tasers
The use of Taser stun guns by Sussex Police has quadrupled, figures from the Home Office reveal.
Officers drew the guns, which deliver a
50,000 volt electric shock to disable suspects,
18 times between July 2007 and February
2008 - an average of 2.57 times a month.
This compares with an average of 0.56
times a month for the previous 39 months
when officers used the weapon 22 times
between April 2004 and June 2007.
The increase in the weapon's use coincides
with a relaxation of Home Office rules on its use.
Between April 2004 and June 2007, Tasers
were fired ten times, used to stun once with
a jabbing motion, aimed with its red dot
laser 24 times, aimed without once and was
only drawn four times.
After the rules were relaxed in July 2007,
so that firearms officers could use them on
non-firearm incidents, officers fired the
weapon on four occasions, aimed with the
red dot ten times, aimed without it once and
drew it three times.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman confirmed
the rule change was the main reason why
its use had increased by the force.
She said: "Tasers provide officers with an
additional tool to defuse high-risk situations
involving extreme violence or the
threat of such violence, protecting the
public and officers from serious harm.
"In certain circumstances, their use can
be more appropriate than conventional
firearms in resolving dangerous situations
safely and without injury to any person.
"In 14 of the 18 cases in Sussex involving
Tasers over a seven-month period, the mere
threat of their use has been enough to deter
assailants and ensure a peaceful resolution
of the incident."
Home Office minister Tony McNulty said
Tasers enabled officers to arrest suspects
without the use of lethal force.
He said: "Tasers have contributed to
resolving incidents without injury where
otherwise there would have been a real possibility
of someone being seriously injured
or killed.
"In most cases, they have not needed to
be fired, drawing or aiming the Taser has
been enough of a deterrent.
"Protection of officers and members of
the public is clearly our highest priority.
"The Government will be closely monitoring
the trial to evaluate Taser's benefits
against any risks."
Tasers were introduced in April 2004 as a
non-lethal means to disable dangerous suspects
designed not to kill.
Their introduction has not been without
controversy. Human rights organisations
such as Amnesty International claim they
can cause death if misused.
The use of Tasers could increase if a trial
by ten police forces to allow non-firearms
officers to use them is successful.
What do you think about the use of Tasers? Comment below.
10:50am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Kickboxer, Worthing on 11:42am Tue 13 May 08
Queue the rise in Taser addictions. The thought of having 20,000 volts plus vibrating my balls screaming for the officers to increase power may lead many undisciplined people to turn to crime. I suggest Taser park to cater for responsible citizens.
Queue the rise in Taser addictions. The thought of having 20,000 volts plus vibrating my balls screaming for the officers to increase power may lead many undisciplined people to turn to crime. I suggest Taser park to cater for responsible citizens.
Posted by: Dave, Wivelsfield on 11:43am Tue 13 May 08
I thought the Police lost their Taser a while back when a really bright highly trained plod left it on his car's roof and drove from Lewes to Eastbourne (or vice versa) and it fell off on route!
I thought the Police lost their Taser a while back when a really bright highly trained plod left it on his car's roof and drove from Lewes to Eastbourne (or vice versa) and it fell off on route!
Posted by: Bob, Norfolk on 12:27pm Tue 13 May 08
TASER SAVES LIVES EVERYDAY
Tasers don't kill, there is not enough current to affect the heart. There are liberals that do not like the control Tasers afford the authorities. They will lie to stop Tasers any way they can.
TASER SAVES LIVES EVERYDAY
Tasers don't kill, there is not enough current to affect the heart. There are liberals that do not like the control Tasers afford the authorities. They will lie to stop Tasers any way they can.
Posted by: alan, portslade on 12:43pm Tue 13 May 08
They should use this on the mouthy teenage yobs when there stopped by the police a quick bolt and they would take notice instead of shouting insults. Violence is on the up and the younger generation have no fear of throwing punches at the police and drawing a weapon .Give the police the fear factor it’s the only thing left
They should use this on the mouthy teenage yobs when there stopped by the police a quick bolt and they would take notice instead of shouting insults. Violence is on the up and the younger generation have no fear of throwing punches at the police and drawing a weapon .Give the police the fear factor it’s the only thing left
Posted by: Chuck Norris, Just kicking baddies in the head and stuff on 5:32pm Tue 13 May 08
If I need to subdue anyone, I tend to roundhouse kick them in the face. Tasers are for girls.
If you do know anyone who needs a kick in the face then drop me an e-mail
If I need to subdue anyone, I tend to roundhouse kick them in the face. Tasers are for girls.
If you do know anyone who needs a kick in the face then drop me an e-mail
Posted by: Old George in the "ome, brighton on 8:11am Wed 14 May 08
Where can i get one?
Posted by: Rob, Denver on 4:09pm Wed 14 May 08
Tasers aren't used on law abiding citizens, most of the offenders have been repeatedly and ridiculously warned of their impending incapacitation. If you prefer, they can go back to 9mm, 40S&W, .45's, and the like. They are acceptable for police to have, unanimously.
Most people that die from Tasers are on meth, cocaine, severe alcohol (.25%BAC+) or some other narcotic intoxication. Everyone was a cute little, innocent baby at one time, but it doesn't give you the right to intoxicate yourself and/or run around threatening people with bodily harm or death. People die from bizarre methods every day, but nobody investigates tylenol makers, automobile manufacturers, gun manufacturers, etc. every occurrence, much less ever.
Tasers aren't used on law abiding citizens, most of the offenders have been repeatedly and ridiculously warned of their impending incapacitation. If you prefer, they can go back to 9mm, 40S&W, .45's, and the like. They are acceptable for police to have, unanimously.
Most people that die from Tasers are on meth, cocaine, severe alcohol (.25%BAC+) or some other narcotic intoxication. Everyone was a cute little, innocent baby at one time, but it doesn't give you the right to intoxicate yourself and/or run around threatening people with bodily harm or death. People die from bizarre methods every day, but nobody investigates tylenol makers, automobile manufacturers, gun manufacturers, etc. every occurrence, much less ever.
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