Firearms operations drop by over a quarter in one year

THE number of firearms operations at Essex Police fell by 27% last year, according to the latest figures.

There were 426 operations in which firearms were authorised in the policing year 2013/14, compared with 584 the previous year – a fall of 158.

And Taser was used a total of 110 times at Essex Police in 2014, statistics from the Home Office have shown.

Firearms operations fell by 4% nationally, statistics released by the Home Office showed this month.

Across the 43 police forces, there were 14,864 police firearms operations in the year ending March 2014. This represents a fall of 36% since the year ending March 2009.

Police officers discharged firearms in just two operations in the year ending March 2014. The figure has been six or fewer in each of the previous five years.

NPCC Lead on Armed Policing, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, said: “I am confident that our highly skilled, highly trained and highly accountable firearms officers are carrying out their duties with professionalism and restraint. On a daily basis they put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.

“The threat from terrorism remains severe and this, coupled with the threats associated with serious and organised crime and violent individuals, means that we will continue to rely on armed police to step forward and protect us. I am proud of our armed policing capability and the police service works tirelessly to constantly improve our training and tactics.”

NPCC Lead on Less-Lethal Weapons, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, said: “Taser provides officers with the ability to deal with violence or threats of violence at a distance, and has saved many lives. Indeed it must be acknowledged that on 80% of occasions, the mere presence of the Taser or the red dot sighting system is enough to bring that situation to a swift and peaceful conclusion without the need for any force to be used.”

To see the reports in full, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-use-of-taser-statistics-england-and-wales-1-january-to-31-december-2014 and https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-use-of-firearms-statistics-england-and-wales-financial-year-ending-31-march-2014-data-tables.