The Home Office has announced that the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley has secured funding for 140 new tasers, as part of a new fund.
This is an additional £115,500 funding for the area from a £10m ring fenced pot of centrally funded money for the equipment.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, said: “We welcome the news that the Thames Valley will receive an additional £115,500 towards funding this important equipment. Tasers will be given to specially trained frontline staff to protect themselves and others in potentially dangerous situations.
“It is vital that our officers are appropriately equipped to deal with a variety of situations in their role and this funding will help us to provide them with the best equipment to do that.
“We’re delighted to be able to equip more staff appropriately in the fight against violent crime.”
Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: “Our brave police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and I am committed to giving them the tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.
“The rise in assaults on officers is appalling which is why I am providing funding to equip up to 10,000 more officers with tasers - an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations.”
The new Home Office funding has been ring fenced for the next year and provision has also been made to support the training of taser instructors with some £150,000 being allocated.
