Brighouse woman was Tasered ‘for her own safety’

Aug 20 2009 By Sam Casey

They had been called by ambulance crews who were responding to a report that someone had taken an overdose.

Three days later a man was shot with a Taser gun by police after becoming violent while being assessed under the Mental Health Act by social workers at Elmwood Avenue in Huddersfield.

Tasers fire needle-tipped darts up to six metres and deliver a disabling, 50,000-volt shock.

West Yorkshire Police used them 345 times in the last five years – the majority of the time as a warning without firing them.

The Home Office figures show they have been used 4,818 times nationally since their introduction in the UK.

Chief Supt Chris Hardern, head of the Operations Support Division in West Yorkshire said: "West Yorkshire Police were one of the first forces to use Taser for firearms officers in 2004 and have been developing tactics and training since then.

"We have also been involved in the pilot to widen issue to other front line officers and hence we have used it more than other forces.

"The purpose of Taser is to improve our ability to protect the public and police officers.

"Taser is part of a graduated response to violent incidents which starts with officers talking with suspects to achieve a peaceful resolution.

"It is only used when there is a high threat of violence and whilst it is impactive, people recover very quickly and anyone subjected to Taser is assessed by a doctor."