FRONTLINE officers should be armed with tasers as a matter of urgency, according to the Police Federation.

Use of tasers more than trebled in Essex during the first year they were given to regular officers.

In 2013, 60 tasers were given to frontline officers. They were previously only used by firearms teams. The number of times tasers were drawn or fired increased to 152, up from 42 in 2009.

Steve White, Police Federation chairman, said: “We have long called for a wider roll-out of tasers. Now, the time is right for all operational police officers to have the option to carry tasers, which I believe will provide greater public reassurance.

“It is only right police officers be given the choice to carry tasers and we urge Government and all chief officers to give this their support.”

Mark Smith, chairman of the Essex Police Federation, said: “If the taser, or the sight of the taser, or a red dot on someone, is enough to stop one officer being assaulted, it’s worth its price.

“With officer numbers dropping, the backup isn’t just around the corner like it used to be.”

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said a public consultation was needed.

He said: “There is some public concern about the use of taser and the risks associated with it.

“There would be extensive costs in training all officers in the safe use of tasers and in equipping them with the devices.

“A clear case would need to be made that such expenditure is in the best interests of both the public and our police officers.”

Amnesty International says the arming of officers with tasers is disproportionate.

Oliver Sprague, UK Arms programme director, said: “Where’s the evidence to support the claim that arming all officers with Tasers would realistically counter terrorist attacks?

“Or indeed a detailed risk assessment which concludes a move to fully arm all officers with tasers is proportionate and necessary, given the UK already has specialist armed teams and large numbers of taser-carrying officers?

“Tasers are not a panacea. They are potentially-lethal weapons which should be used only in specific circumstances where there’s a clear risk of death or serious injury.”