Metropolitan police to roll out Tasers in response cars across London

Plan to cover all boroughs will cost over £800,000 and increase number of stun guns from 800 to more than 6,500

The Metropolitan police is spending more than £800,000 a year on equipping response vehicles in London with Tasers, despite growing concern among human rights campaigners and some politicians over their use.

A question to the mayor's office for policing and crime by Jenny Jones, assembly member for the Greens, reveals the budget for the weapons will be £817,864 a year during the first stage of the rollout, which will eventually equip response vehicles with Tasers in each of the capital's 32 boroughs.

Met commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has said he wants to see the stun guns in everyday use by response cars – a change in policy from their previous use, which was restricted to specialist firearms officers and TSG officers.

The first stage of the rollout will see Tasers extended to Bromley, Kingston, Harrow, Barking and Dagenham, and Enfield. The Met is increasing the number of Tasers from 800 to more than 6,500.

"Last October police in Lancashire Tasered a 61-year-old blind man after mistaking his white stick for a samurai sword," said Jones. "That case, along with many others, shows the problems of the widespread adoption of Tasers. I fear the rollout will increase the risk of mistakes happening in London, making people less safe.

"The Metropolitan Police Authority put real restraints on the police use of Tasers as it recognised the danger of every officer being armed in that way.

"Sadly … Hogan-Howe and the Mayor's office for policing and crime have made clear their intention to expand their use."

Before its abolition the Metropolitan Police Authority had opposed....REST OF IT