Violent criminals can expect to feel the zap of a Taser more often in future as the police tool up with more of the electronic shock devices.

Thames Valley Police today announced its plans to equip more officers with Taser Electronic Control Devices.

Following consultation with officers, local police area commanders and the Police Federation, the Chief Constable’s management team has implemented a plan which will see more officers selected, assessed and trained to carry the devices.

This will mean the total number of officers within the force trained to use Tasers will increase by 280 to 485 - a rise from 4.9 percent of officers to 11 per cent.

The force first issued Tasers to officers in 2004 and currently only firearms officers are allowed to carry them - but this will change as more officers are trained to use them.

Assistant Chief Constable John Campbell, who is responsible for tactical support, said: “Over the past three years we have seen a rise in the number of incidents firearms officers with Tasers attend to provide support to unarmed colleagues. 

“These are incidents where officers are faced with someone who is threatening violence or has the potential to cause significant harm to officers or members of the public, on many occasions the offender will be believed to be carrying weapons.

“Over the same three-year period we have also experienced a rise in the number of assaults on officers and staff.

“This move will provide further protection to the communities and officers across Thames Valley.

Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: “Officers will be specially selected and trained for this role and I am satisfied that the continued use of the Taser device across the force area will only be considered in those cases where it is necessary and proportionate to the behaviour the officers encounter."

Over the past three years the total number of times Tasers have been carried has increased from 795 in 2010 and 842 in 2011 to 936 in 2012.

However, the number of instances where the device was actually discharged has remained low with only 16 incidents resulting in a discharge in 2010. This equates to two per cent of the total number of incidents where the use of a Taser was authorised.

In 2011 there were only 14 Taser discharges. This was 1.7 per cent of the total number of incidents where the use of a Taser was authorised.

And last year, there were 16 incidents where officers discharged a Taser - 1.7 per cent of the total number of incidents where the use of a Taser was authorised.

ACC Campbell added that this decision would also bring Thames Valley Police in line with the majority of other forces across the country.

He said: “Until this decision was taken, Thames Valley Police was one of five forces in England and Wales that only permitted firearms officers to carry Tasers.

“By rolling it out to specially trained officers, it will bring the percentage of officers trained closer to the national average of 11.5 per cent across the remaining 38 forces.”

Chief Constable Thornton added: "As Chief Constable I have a responsibility to ensure that my officers are equipped to do the difficult job I ask of them. It is right that we have increased the availability of Tasers in line with other forces and we will keep our approach under review."

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