Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Children's Were Threatened With Tasers By Police

police

Police used Tasers when dealing with children at least 538 times last year - and fired at them 43 times.

The youngest child targeted with one of the weapons was just 12, according to shocking figures released under freedom of information rules.

Campaigners demanded a ban on the use of tasers against under-18s, saying even brandishing one caused 'immense fear and distress'.

Some 44 police forces in England and Wales provided details in responses to the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE).

More than a quarter of the incidents (147) were against children aged 15 or younger with the youngest just 12.

The charity defines children as under-18s - the measure used by the United Nations, which has called for the use of Tasers against children to be banned.

The campaigners warned that even if Tasers are not fired, brandishing them or using them as a threat can cause children 'immense fear and distress'.

Separate data also showed that so-called 'spit hoods' were used on children, with the youngest 15 years-old, on at least 24 occasions by police in England in the first nine months of 2016, which can be 'extremely distressing'.


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