A PUBLIC event will be taking place to give people the chance to find out more about taser use.

Devon and Cornwall Police is hosting the event as the force is currently reviewing its taser use. 

The force has been seeking public feedback on plans which could see the number of taser-carrying officers across the force increase over the next two to three years.

A survey was launched in April to consult the public and more than 700 responses have been received so far.

Now Devon and Cornwall Police is inviting residents to a public event to hear more about the plans and to give people the opportunity to pose questions to the senior officer leading the review.

The session will take place on Wednesday, June 22 at Newton Abbot police station.

The event will begin at 6pm and anyone who is interested is asked to pre-book their place at the event by emailing: taserconsultation@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

East Cornwall Commander, Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, will provide an overview of the plans and taser use within Devon and Cornwall.

The public will have the chance to ask questions and handle a training taser unit.

There are currently 530 taser trained (non-firearms) officers in the force [around one sixth of officers], but under new plans this could increase to around 1,000 by 2018.

The move is being considered as a way of better protecting communities and dealing with incidents in more isolated and rural areas where there is threat of harm and risk to life of the public and back up to police officers may not be close by.

It is also hoped the change will reduce the number of assaults on police officers – currently around 30 incidents a month.

Supt Drummond-Smith said: “No decisions have yet been made and we want the public to tell us what they think. We will then take into account these responses as part of ongoing review.”

The review is expected to make recommendations to the Chief Constable in the autumn.

For those who cannot attend the events, but wish to have their say, the survey can be found and completed at https://services.devon-cornwall.police.uk/surveys/tasers/index.htm