More frontline cops in South Yorkshire to get Tasers

South Yorkshire Police has been awarded £128,000 to buy another 156 of the devices from a £6.7 million Home Office pot, which will see an extra 8,155 available for officers in England and Wales

Announcing the funding, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our brave police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us all and Taser is a vital option in dangerous situations.

“This funding forms part of our commitment to ensure forces have the powers, resources and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe."

Tasers are stun gun devices used by officers to incapacitate violent people from a distance.

Steve Kent, chairman of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, said: “Our stance is that every frontline officer should have Taser.

“Thankfully we’re a bit ahead of the curve with this, because as well as the centrally-funded Taser, the Chief Constable has assured us that we’re going to be getting them for 50-60 per cent of all frontline officers, which will see us increase our numbers a lot more.

“As it stands, that’s the biggest proportion of Taser per officer of any metropolitan force.”

He added: “The pros of Taser massively outweigh the cons. Yes, there’s still a public perception that they’re dangerous, but I’d ask anybody to say objectively what would they rather be, hit by a baton or Tasered, when the effects are only temporary?

“I was a Taser officer myself, and it gives you that extra tool in your belt not only to look after yourself, but also to protect members of the public.

“The only time I’ve used it is when I Tasered somebody who was seriously self-harming with a large knife. If I’d have got nearer there’s no doubt she would have used it on me, and she’d have injured herself more if it wasn’t for the fact that I Tasered her and controlled her, so she could get the treatment she needed.”