More officers in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire to be armed with Tasers

Forces in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will share a total of 152 new Tasers after receiving £125,400 from the Home Office to purchase the devices.

Lincolnshire Police will also be able to buy 170 new Tasers after receiving £140,000.

The money awarded locally is part of a national program which will see 41 forces receive £6.5 million to buy more Tasers, meaning across England and Wales nearly 8,000 more officers will be able to carry the devices.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The rise in assaults on police officers is deeply concerning and Taser is a vital option in dangerous situations.

“I back the forces across the East of England and will ensure they have the powers, resources and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.

“We are also consulting on our Police Covenant which will enshrine their rights in law, recognising their service and sacrifice.”

Bidding which launched in January gave all police and crime commissioners the chance to request money from a £10 million ringfenced fund.

A total of 41 forces submitted bids and all will receive the full amount of money they requested.

Funding applications were based on the threats and risks in their local areas.

Lincolnshire Police said the funding will cover the cost of buying the Tasers, but that the money for batteries, holsters and training has been included by police and crime commissioner Marc Jones in the budgets for the remainder of this year and next.

Mr Jones said: “The extra money provided by the Home Secretary is very positive news for Lincolnshire.

“The additional Tasers will play a significant role in keeping both our communities and our officers safe and will be a huge benefit in policing our rural county.

“The funding, coming soon after the funding to bolster officer numbers, is yet another demonstration of the Home Secretary’s commitment to tackling crime and is very welcome.”

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Taser is an essential piece of equipment which has saved many police officers from serious injury or worse.

“I have campaigned for ringfenced funding for more colleagues to have access to Taser and it’s refreshing that the Home Secretary has listened and acted.

“Policing is dangerous and unpredictable; my colleagues need all the support they can get and I hope this extra funding will make a difference.”

Katy Bourne, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners chair, said: “The priority for all Police and Crime Commissioners, alongside keeping the public safe, is the protection and safety of police officers and staff. PCCs recognise and appreciate the exceptional and often dangerous job that officers do to protect the public.

“Taser is one of a number of well proven tactical options available to police officers when dealing with an incident with the potential for conflict and we welcome the additional funding for it.

“PCCs fully support and welcome the consultation on the Policing Covenant which will help to enshrine their rights in law.”