Taser Adds Shock And Awe To Every Bobby’s Arsenal

'FRONTLINE police officers across the country are to go on patrol armed with the controversial Taser stun gun under plans to be announced by ministers later this year.

A stockpile of the weapons, which fire a 50,000-volt charge, will be kept at each police station so that patrolling officers can use them if required, Whitehall officials said.

They will be used to confront and disable suspects who threaten violence, whether suspected suicide bombers or aggressive drunken yobs.

Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, believes using Tasers on thugs and violent criminals will help to protect officers from injury. She also believes the stun guns will save resources, because in future fewer officers will need to be deployed to deal with individual incidents.

This weekend, she said: “Taser is making a real difference on our streets, not only keeping the public safe but also protecting our police officers. I am committed to giving our police the weapons they need to get crime off our streets.”

Although details have not been finalised, the stun guns are expected to be made available to each of the 43 police forces in England and Wales by the end of the year, officials say.

The move has met opposition from civil liberties groups, which say they should be used by only specialist firearms officers in limited circumstances.'

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