According to the Home Office, there were 27,543 Taser discharges by police in England and Wales in 2021/22. This was a 17% increase from the previous year, when there were 23,483 discharges.

Of the 27,543 discharges in 2021/22, 18,368 (67%) were against white people, 4,914 (18%) were against black people, and 2,711 (10%) were against Asian people.

The vast majority of Taser discharges (94%) were against men.

The Home Office also reported that there were 1,833 injuries caused by Tasers in 2021/22. Of these, 1,143 were minor injuries, 689 were serious injuries, and two were fatal.

The two fatal injuries involving Tasers occurred in 2021. One involved a 24-year-old man who was Tasered by police after he threatened them with a knife. The other involved a 30-year-old man who was Tasered after he became aggressive towards police.

Research on the Effects of Tasers

A number of studies have been conducted on the effects of Tasers. Some of the key findings from these studies include:

* Tasers can cause a variety of injuries, including skin burns, eye damage, and internal organ damage.

* Tasers can also cause psychological trauma, such as PTSD.

* Tasers are more likely to cause serious injuries or death when used against people with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or epilepsy.

* Tasers are not always effective in subduing people. In some cases, people who have been Tasered have continued to resist arrest.

* Tasers can be used to target people who are not posing an immediate threat to police officers or others.

Conclusions

The evidence suggests that Tasers can be dangerous weapons. They can cause a variety of injuries, including serious injuries and death. Tasers should be used only when absolutely necessary and with great caution.

In the UK, Tasers are currently only used by police officers who have received specialized training. The Home Office is currently reviewing the use of Tasers by police and is considering whether to make any changes to the current policy.