The government has announced plans to buy 10,000 more Tasers (at a cost of £8 million) and extend their use to all frontline officers. Until now, only specialist firearms officers could carry taser stun guns – a weapon that delivers a 50,000 volt electric shock and temporarily incapacitates any individual.

The Home Office claims that up to 30,000 police officers across all forces in England and Wales will be trained to use Taser stun guns. All officers who use Tasers will need to attend an 18-hour training course and will also be required to attend an annual "refresher" course. But although the Home Office is funding the Tasers, the cost of training officers to use them will be paid by individual police forces.