Express & Star

Children and pensioners among 700 Tasered in last three years in West Midlands

Tasers have been deployed nearly 700 times in three years by the police in the West Midlands, including being used on children and pensioners.

Published

Figures reveal that people as old as 69 and as young as 14 have had the stun gun used on them by officers.

Between 2013 and 2015 Tasers were deployed a total of 696 times in the region.

They were used 230 times in 2013, 251 times in 2014 and 215 times in 2015.

It was in 2013 when police used the weapon on a 69-year-old while the youngest person targeted was 15. But in 2014 and 2015 the youngest target was 14.

The figures, released after a Freedom of Information request, also revealed the techniques used to fire the controversial weapon.

An 'angled drive stun' was used 26 times in the three years, which sees officers fire the Taser with a live cartridge inside and holds the device to a different part of the target's body.

This causes them to become incapacitated.

By comparison a Taser was deployed in a 'drive stun' action 19 times in the period, where officers pull the trigger while it is held against someone's body.

This causes pain but does not knock them out.

West Midlands Police pointed out that the figures related to how many times the Taser had been deployed rather than how many people had been 'Tasered' stating that someone could be fired at more than once.

The use of Tasers has long been a controversial topic with critics pointing out safety issues.

Those against the weapon argue that the high-voltage stun devices can cause a heart attack in susceptible people.

There are also risks around using them around flammable material.

West Midlands Police has previously defended its use of the devices.

Last year after it was revealed the force used them on children 46 times in a year, former Chief Superintendent Stuart Johnson, now retired, said: "Tasers are not drawn lightly by officers – they are used where there is a risk of violence and provide an additional option to resolve situations that can arise from all sections of the public, including under-18s.

"Our officers have undergone detailed training, including scenario-based events to test judgement, accuracy and the procedural and legislative side of the equipment's use.

"The training has been developed by an experienced group of Taser instructors and practitioners and is subject to regular updates and review."

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