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Last Updated: 1 minute ago
North Wales Police has begun rolling out a powerful new Taser to its officers, replacing older models with a device capable of firing ten shots without reloading.
The force confirmed it would start issuing the Taser 10 Conducted Energy Device (CED) from March, following Home Office approval of the Axon model last October.
The upgraded device represents a significant step forward from previous Tasers, which could only hold two cartridges. The T10 fires up to 10 single-shot cartridges, giving officers greater precision and more opportunities to safely control a subject without escalating to higher levels of force.
It also operates at double the range of older models – up to 45 feet – allowing officers to manage threats from a safer distance and increasing the chances of peaceful de-escalation.
The Wrexham Rural policing team shared the news on Friday, saying: “This new piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) allows officers to create more distance to de-escalate and resolve conflicts due to its range of up to 45 feet.
“In the event that de-escalation efforts do fail, officers can deploy up to 10 individually targeted probes without the need to reload.”
The device underwent rigorous scrutiny, independent testing and medical assessments, with trials carried out by the College of Policing.
Figures from 2023 show officers in North Wales used Taser devices 380 times, though they were only discharged on 37 occasions.
Policing Minister Sarah Jones said: “Police officers up and down the country are at their best when diffusing stressful, and often dangerous, situations, but their safety, and the safety of the communities they serve is paramount. The new Taser 10 offers a safer option for officers who find themselves in those dangerous situations.”
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi, national policing lead for less-lethal weapons, said: “We are proud to operate a predominantly unarmed police service built on public consent, where officers resolve most incidents safely without force, and we continue to see a consistent decline in Taser discharges. Taser provides vital support in high-risk, fast-moving situations. Officers who volunteer to carry Taser are highly trained, and in 92% of cases, its presence alone defuses danger swiftly and safely.”
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “Our updated guidance was developed in consultation with experts and tested in real-world scenarios. The effective use of Taser 10 is about improving the safety of our police officers and fulfilling our duty to protect the public from harm, whilst using the minimum amount of force. It’s also about trust, as the public rightly expects police powers are used with care and accountability.
“The College of Policing’s new guidance and training will ensure officers are not only prepared to the highest possible standards, but also that those standards are transparent. This will help build public trust and confidence and ensure officers are held to the high professional standards the service is proud to uphold.”
