Cash for extra 67 Taser weapons in Hampshire

Hampshire police is getting the cash for 67 units.

Currently there are 507 Taser-authorised officers, out of 2,700 in the force.

Chief constable Olivia Pinkney has already spent £1m on Taser before the announcement was made.

Alex Charge, who represents rank-and-file officers as Hampshire Police Federation chairman, said: ‘I’m glad we made a bid.

‘I want Hampshire to get as many Taser as possible because it’s an excellent bit of kit.

‘It’s something I know colleagues would much rather have and not need, than need and not have. I think it will become a routine bit of kit for operational police officers.’

Not all of the £10 fund for Taser was spent. Some forces did not bid.

But Mr Charge said it was ‘difficult’ to know why Hampshire only received 67 units.

Mr Charge added: ‘Taser is really important because it provides reassurance to the officer. It’s another tactical option. It doesn’t mean they have to use it.

‘Just the mere showing and red-dotting of Taser has an amazing effect on calming people down. If we’re talking about the other options – the use of force, going hands-on – often everybody gets hurt.’

The unspent portion of the £10m will go on tackling serious violence.