Cheshire Police given £100,000 to buy new Tasers

Cheshire Police has been awarded more than £100,000 by the Home Office to purchase new Tasers.

The bid will allow the force to buy 130 Tasers.

The £107,250 funding will allow it to purchase the devices over the next 12 months as they train more officers to use them.

Tasers are seen as a ‘non-lethal alternative’ to conventional firearms as the electrical current they discharge incapacitates targets. However, it is illegal for members of the public to own one under the Firearms Act 1968.

The funding awarded to Cheshire Constabulary is part of £10 million ring-fenced government fund, which was based on the threats and risks in each local area.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane outlined in his bid how the force plans to use Tasers in the future to reduce the risk of violent crime.

Chief constable Darren Martland added: “We are delighted to have secured this funding to purchase an additional 130 Tasers for our specially trained frontline officers.

“Ensuring we reduce the risk of violent crime is a key priority for the Constabulary, and this funding will we help ensure we have the correct equipment to protect our staff.

“Increasing our number of Taser-trained officers and equipping them with these devices should give reassurance to the public that we are continuing to do everything we can to help keep Cheshire even safer.”