Civil liberties experts 'concerned' over increased Taser use
31 Aug 2010
Civil
liberties experts have raised concerns after it was revealed
that the use of Taser stun guns in one part of the UK has risen
dramatically.
According to the Birmingham Mail, West Midlands police officers
have used the tools 412 times since January 2010, twice as much as
during the past five years combined.
This amounts to a 500 per cent increase in less than 12 months and
has prompted civil liberties group Amnesty to speak out about the
use of the weapons, which deliver a 50,000 volt shock.
Oliver Sprague commented: "Tasers should only be used in
circumstances where there is a heightened risk of death or very
serious injury.
"Questions must be asked as to why there has been such a startling
increase of Taser use."
It was revealed that the Tasers were used in a range of
circumstances, including domestic disputes and riots.
West Midlands Police now has more of the weapons than any other
constabulary in the UK, with officers at every Birmingham station
having received training in how to use them.
In March 2010, a British man received compensation after being
shocked with a Taser.
According to the Daily Mail, diabetic Nicholas Gaubert had been on
a bus when he fell into a coma en route.
The driver feared he was a terrorist and called West Yorkshire
Police, who shot him twice with a Taser.
It was only when he regained consciousness in the back of the
police van that he was able to raise the alarm and get emergency
treatment.
The victim later received a six-figure compensation payout and a
full apology.
