Force rarely used by West Mercia Police officers

The force began releasing figures on the use of force by its officers last year.

The figures cover tactics such as officers taking hold of someone’s arm, using handcuffs, deploying a police dog and using a baton, irritant spray, taser or firearm.

The latest figures, for the period between January and March 2018, show that overall police dealt with 59,127 incidents and just 1,299 of them required force by officers. Of that number in 15 a firearm was aimed but no shots were fired, in 42 a taser was drawn and 13 times used, and in 22 a baton was used.

The most recorded tactic used was unarmed skills which largely involves taking physical hold of someone - for example in a wrist lock - a tactic used on 946 occasions.

The majority, 85 per cent, of the incidents involved men, while 88 per cent were white British or European nationality.

In the reason for the use of force 45 per cent of occasions were recorded as protecting people, 35 per cent were to carry out an arrest, while seven per cent were to prevent an escape. The majority of the subjects, 41 per cent, who the use of force was used for, struggled, while eight per cent made off. In 10 per cent the subject kicked, punched or head-butted, while 13 per cent used threats or gestures. Nine per cent were described as compliant, and a further nine per cent passive resistance.

Many of the figures are similar to the previous three month period, but there was an increase in the number of incidents in which officers were assaulted, rising from 126 to 137.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: “Police officers respond to thousands of incidents each day and, as the figures show, the vast majority are resolved without requiring these techniques or any form of conflict.”

On use of force figures John Campion, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Police officers are faced with many challenging and dangerous situations and it’s important to remember that these are ordinary people.”