Suzanne Webb, MP for Stourbridge, has welcomed the announcement that West Midlands Police force will receive a £206,250 funding increase to equip 250 more police officers with tasers this year, ensuring they have the resources they need to tackle crime and keep the public safe.
This increase is part of a £6.7 million funding boost that will deliver over 8,000 new tasers to 41 forces across the country, delivering on the Conservatives manifesto commitment to put more officers carrying tasers on our streets, allowing them to better protect themselves and others from harm.
Officers have to elect to be specially-trained to use tasers and it is for the Chief Constables to decide how many carry the devices, based on strategic assessments of threat and risk in their force areas.
£150,000 has also been allocated to training for taser instructors, and around £3.1 million will go toward tackling serious violence and county lines.
The funding arrives after a series of recent announcements supporting the police, including a commitment to boost their ranks with 20,000 new officers over the next three years, with West Midlands Police to benefit from 366 new officers by the end of the year – as part of the first stages of the Government’s commitment.
The Government has also announced plans to provide the police with additional powers to protect the public and establish a police covenant, ensuring officers and their families get the right emotional and physical support.
Police funding across England and Wales will increase by £1.1 billion in 2020/21 – the biggest funding increase in a decade.
Suzanne Webb MP added: “I have received a lot of correspondence recently regarding residents’ concerns about crime, and I am pleased to see the Government is recognising these emerging trends.
“I am delighted that because of actions taken by the Conservative government, West Midlands Police will receive £206,250 in extra funding to deliver 250 new Tasers for our officers.
“We know that people are concerned about the increase in serious violence – we promised to work to make our communities safer and that is exactly what we are doing.
“By backing our police with the funding and resources they need, we will keep the public and our communities safe, so that people everywhere can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Our brave police officers put themselves in harms way to protect us all and tasers are a vital option in dangerous situations.
“This funding forms part of our commitment to ensure forces have the powers, resources, and tools they need to keep themselves and the public safe.
“Last week I also launched our consultation on the police covenant which will enshrine those rights in law, recognising their service and sacrifice.”
