Police to get new powerful Taser with two shots despite Dalian Atkinson death
Police will be allowed to carry more powerful Taser stun guns which can fire two shots.
The Home Secretary Amber Rudd approved the controversial plans today.
It comes after former Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson died after a Taser was used during a confrontation in Telford last year.
Chief constables can now issue their officers with the X2 stun gun, which has a second shot in case the first should fail.
The weapon also has an electric crackle warning noise and pulsating light to try to encourage a suspect to surrender before being fired upon with a 50,000-volt electric shot.
It is common for the wired barbs fired by the guns not to connect properly with a suspect.
Currently, officers have to replace the stun gun's cartridge in order to re-fire the weapon after a failed connection.
At least 11 deaths in the UK have been linked to the use of Tasers, but experts have been unable to say whether the stun gun was directly responsible for any of those deaths.
A formal investigation into Mr Atkinson's death is still to determine the exact cause of death and whether the use of the stun gun played any part.
Authorities have been examining the X2 Taser for a number of months to determine whether it would be a suitable replacement for the X26, which has been used by police officers across the UK for the past 13 years.
Police chiefs claim the X26 is becoming increasingly obsolete and forces are struggling to find spare parts for the weapons when the break down.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, has called for all those who want to carry Taser to be issued with the stun gun.
