Taser use by police up 50 per cent

The use of Tasers by police has soared by 50% in the past five years, figures have revealed.

But deployments of the controversial stun gun have marginally dipped this year, for the first time since at least 2010.

The figures come days after a jury found that a police officer's use of a 50,000-voltTaser contributed to the death of factory worker Jordon Begley, 23, while he was being restrained.

The landmark verdict is believed to be the first time a UK jury has found a Taser contributed to a death, and has raised fresh questions about use of the weapon.

Figures show Tasers were used 10,062 times last year, up from 6,649 in 2010 but marginally down from 10,380 in 2013.

Officers used the highest "fired" setting, which sends an electric shock which incapacitates the victim, 1,724 times last year.

The stun setting, which sends out painful shocks, was used 256 times.