Amnesty International is extremely concerned about new statistics which show Taser use against children by the Metropolitan Police has risen nearly six-fold over four years.

The data was obtained through a freedom of information request made by the Children’s Rights Alliance for England. The increasing roll-out of Tasers across the UK continues to be a grave concern for Amnesty.

Amnesty maintains that Tasers should only be kept in the hands of a small number of specially-trained officers and should only be used in extreme circumstances.

Amnesty International UK’s Arms Programme Director, Oliver Sprague, said:

“The increase in Taser use on children in London is extremely worrying especially as the Government’s own safety advice warns that children are at a higher risk of suffering adverse effects from Tasers. Amnesty urges police forces to undergo enhanced training which should involve continual monitoring, assessment