POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire, Ron Ball, has today responded to calls for a national review into the use of tasers.

This follows the release of figures showing the number of times tasers were fired at under 18s, however there have been no such incidents in Warwickshire.

Ron Ball, Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire said: “It is both emotive and misleading to refer to all under 18s as children. This description does not take into account the height and build of some juvenile offenders, and the threat they can pose to police officers.

“Use of a taser is one of a number of options available to a police officer when faced with imminent danger. In fact, it's use is encouraged before officers use a baton or spray, because it does not cause long-term harm.

“In Warwickshire, we have had no instances of police officers firing a taser at someone aged under 18.”