Captor spray will reduce assaults, says force
Replacing CS spray with a more effective incapacitant could cut assaults on officers in Leicestershire by more than a third, according to the force.
Captor spray, which is being rolled out across the force, can be used in situations where CS spray cannot be deployed, such as in crowds and inside vehicles. The risk of cross-contamination is also thought to be low.
Leicestershire Constabulary believes its introduction could lead to a 39 per cent reduction in assaults on officers.
David Lindley, deputy chief constable said: “Extensive testing has shown Captor to be a much more effective and versatile incapacitant than CS spray and we are confident that we will see the number of attacks on officers fall significantly when it is introduced.
“Captor will be effective in incapacitating a violent person in 94 per cent of cases compared to an effectiveness rate of between 52 per cent and 60 per cent.”
The force said Captor, which contains Nonivamide used in food and in pain relief creams, does not have any side effects.
Stan Sexton, principle health and safety advisor to Leicestershire Constabulary, said: “We believe it is a much safer and more effective alternative that will improve officer protection and personal safety.”
Sussex, North Wales and Northamptonshire police have already switched to Captor and it is used extensively by police forces in Europe.