Force used 1,200 times in three months by West Mercia Police

Force was used more than 1,200 times by West Mercia Police between April and June this year.

West Mercia said force was used in 1,217 incidents in the time. Among those incidents, spit hoods were used 23 times, and 'incapacitant' spray was drawn or used 103 times.

West Mercia Police said the figures mean force was used in two per cent of call-outs its officers dealt with.

On top of those incidents, the most recorded use of force tactic was 'unarmed skills', which includes taking physical hold of someone or holding them on the ground. The action was used 1,403 times.

Police dogs were used on 34 occasions and bit people on two of those.

Batons were drawn or used 41 times.

Of the people force was used on, 82 per cent were male and 90 per cent were white British or European.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said officers are acting with "professionalism" in an "extraordinary role".

He said: "The investments I’ve already made, such as the rollout of body worn video, deliver increased transparency. The publication of use of force data is one further step, assuring the public that their police service are meeting national standards, acting in a fair and appropriate way and taking action should any officer fall below the standard expected.

"Police officers are faced with many challenging and dangerous situations and it’s important to remember that these are ordinary people, doing an extraordinary role.

"Our communities should feel reassured, that West Mercia Police officers are acting with integrity, professionalism and accountability as they continue to keep the public safe."

West Mercia Police use Tasers eight times

A force being investigated for a fatal use of Tasers deployed the weapon a total of eight times in three months earlier this year.

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission is due to publish its results into an investigation into the death of footballer Dalian Atkinson.

New figures about use of force by West Mercia Police shows that from April to June this year, officers working across Shropshire, Hereford and Worcester used Tasers a total of eight times.

Last month marked a year since Dalian, 48, died following the incident in Meadow Close in Trench and his family said they were "still reeling" from the loss.

The IPCC earlier revealed that three West Mercia Police officers have been interviewed under criminal caution and served with gross misconduct notices relating to his death, with its final report to be released soon.

The former Aston Villa player died after being shot by a police Taser outside his father’s house in Meadow Close, Trench.

Paramedics and doctors were unable to revive him, despite administering CPR on him for more than an hour after he was taken to hospital.

His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including former Aston Villa stars Ian Taylor and Tommy Johnson and scores of fans, at Telford crematorium last November.

Mr Atkinson’s funeral was held in November at Telford Crematorium and was attended by former Villa players Ugo Ehiogu, Ian Taylor, Steve Staunton, Gary Charles and Tommy Johnson, as well as former manager Brian Little and scores of fans.

In September nearly 200 people joined the ‘Justice 4 Dalian Atkinson’ in Telford Town park march.

Today, fresh figures have been released detailing the use of force by West Mercia Police, which has been defended by senior officers who say it helps keep people safe.

Steve Cullen, head of operations Chief Superintendent at West Mercia Police, said that force is used to protect the public.

He said: “As a police service we have a duty to protect people from harm and these techniques are in place to resolve dangerous situations whilst protecting the public at the scene, the individual under arrest and the officers in attendance.

“Police officers are confronted with difficult situations every day. They walk towards danger when others walk away.

"They must think and act quickly and we ensure they are given the tools and training they need to help them make dynamic decisions on the actions needed to keep people safe. This data gives the public an insight into these challenges.

“The code of ethics underpins all that we do and helps guide us when making difficult decisions, ensuring that our actions are right and fair. To ensure appropriate scrutiny of our actions we also work with Independent Advisory Groups (IAGs) and scrutiny forums to make sure our workforce are acting in the correct, lawful and non-discriminatory way.

“This increased transparency will better enable individual uses of force to be placed in context, and provide greater reassurance amongst the public that force, when used, is proportionate, lawful, accountable and necessary in the circumstances”.