Almost 90 per cent of the public support Taser use if supported by BWV

A large majority of the public have shown their support for the deployment of Taser according to a survey commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

Almost three quarters of the 2,004 adults surveyed by market research company Ipsos MORI supported the use of Taser, rising to almost 90 per cent if the device in connected to Body Worn Video (BWV)

Seventy-one per cent of respondents said they feel it is acceptable for a police officer to carry a Taser while on patrol while 79 per cent said forces should be allowed to train and equip officers if Tasers were to be issued to police officers working alone.

In addition, 80 per cent said it would make no difference to them approaching an officer for assistance if the officer was carrying a Taser. Only 17 per cent disagree that all officers should be given the option of being equipped with the devices.

The PFEW claims Taser is a vital tool for officers to defend themselves as Home Office statistics suggest that an officer is assaulted every 22 minutes in England and Wales.

The survey result comes as the replacement Taser, the X2, is expected to be approved by Home Secretary Amber Rudd in the coming weeks.

As well as being more accurate because of its dual lasers, the new Taser also has a second shot in case the first misses or fails to subdue a suspect.

X2 Tasers have a feature called arc-mode, in which the Taser displays a blue light made from live electricity, designed to encourage offenders to surrender before being fired at.

The technology behind the X2 has been trialled for more than 20 years as well as being tested and cleared in the UK by the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons.

It is also cheaper than the model currently in use in all UK forces – the X26 – which cost forces £940 each. The X2 costs just £750 each.

With an increasing amount of police forces adopting BWV, the X2 can be configured to the camera so it automatically begins recording when the Taser is switched on.

It also records the amount of electrical charge applied as well as the duration of the charge. The data is then downloaded and stored securely online where it can be accessed if an inspection is required.

The survey showed that pairing the device with BWV would increase public support. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents said forces should be allowed to train and equip officers if the use of Taser is automatically recorded by a camera mounted on the officer’s uniform.

Steve White, Chair of the PFEW, said: “We know officers support the use of Taser and BWV, and now we have the evidence that shows the public do as well.”

“Yesterday (December 8) I wrote to all chief constables and commissioners across England and Wales, outlining the survey results and asking them to support a wider rollout of Taser and call for increased government funding to assist with this.

“Any equipment that helps improve the safety of not just police officers doing their duty, but also the public, is an absolute must. You cannot put a price on safety. The current model is obsolete with spare parts difficult to come by, while the X2 is even safer and more effective.

“The public clearly have their eyes wide open to the very real threats that exist. Attitudes are changing and people recognise the benefits Taser can offer.”

Managing Director for Taser UK, Matt Spencer, said: “We know that in Canada using the device in arc-mode helps resolve 90 per cent of incidents involving the X2 – meaning the incident is resolved without any discharge.

“Chief officers and police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are under pressure to provide robust policing against a backdrop of the public and government demanding better value for money.

“The X2 Taser can provide part of the solution for chief officers and PCCs – providing them with an accountable and effective less lethal option that better protects their officers and the public. This is already evidenced by the X2 being used worldwide in 100 countries.”