West Midlands Police Taser officers to double over the next 18 months

The number of West Midlands Police officers armed with Taser is to double over the next 18 months.

There are currently 643 Taser trained officers across the force. This number is to increase to around 1,440.

Half of all officers who respond to 999 emergencies will be approved to carry the device. Police in other roles, including some of those on the beat, will also be trained to use Taser.

The move was recommend by security experts after local and national crime trends were analysed.

Last year, officers from West Midlands Police deployed Taser on 854 occasions. They were fired 162 times.