2 March 2020

Dorset To Receive 315 More Tasers

MORE Dorset officers are set to get an ‘essential’ bit of kit as part of their personal protective equipment.

Dorset Police Federation says the distribution of more than 300 Tasers to the force will help officers deal with violent assaults and help them to further protect the public.

The uplift is part of the Home Office’s £10m war chest to provide the personal protective equipment across forces in England and Wales.

In total Dorset will receive 315 Tasers, more than both Greater Manchester Police (100) and West Midlands Police (250).

Dorset Police Federation Chair Anna Harvey said it would boost officers’ ability to protect themselves from assaults.

She said: “I am delighted that Dorset has been allocated this extra funding for the Taser uplift, this will not only provide officers with an essential piece of kit that will help them deal with violent incidents but will protect the public.

“We have witnessed assaults on police officers increase over the years, and I hope this piece of equipment will not only deter offenders but give officers better protection leading to fewer injuries.”

All but two of the 43 forces in England and Wales submitted requests for extra funding. Part of the national £10m crime-fighting fund will be spent on tackling serious violence and county lines drug gangs.

PFEW Chairman John Apter said the news was ‘refreshing’ and was pleased Home Secretary Priti Patel appears to be taking officer safety seriously.

He said: “I have campaigned for ring-fenced funding for more colleagues to have access to Taser, and it’s refreshing that the Home Secretary has listened and acted.

“Because of our lobbying there will be almost 8,000 more Tasers available for my colleagues, this can only be a good thing.

“This was a unique opportunity for forces to secure extra protections without shouldering the majority of the cost. I would have liked to have seen every penny of the £10m funding used to fund more Tasers.

“At a time when officer safety is dominating the headlines, I am surprised that some forces chose not to take advantage of this extra funding.”