Use of Tasers in Staffordshire falls by a third

National statistics show that Taser use in Staffordshire fell from 626 in 2013 to 390 in 2014.

The figures, looked at the period between July 1 and December 31 in both years.

Overall the number of times Tasers were used was also down from 71 to 54.

Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said the rigorous examination of Taser use in Staffordshire is about improving public confidence in policing.

Mr Ellis said: "These latest figures show a reduction in the use, both in terms of actually discharging a Taser and using them as a threat deterrent."

He added: "I commissioned the independent Ethics Transparency and Audit Panel (ETAP) to undertake a comprehensive examination of the way police use Tasers in Staffordshire.

"That excellent work resulted in nine clear recommendations from the Panel in order to improve the recording of Taser use and provide more rigorous check and balances which I hoped would ultimately improve public confidence in the way police go about their business."

Mr Ellis added that the threat of using a Taser in the county had actually prevented further violence.

He said: "These Home Office figures are interesting, but we must remember there was evidence to suggest that simply the threat of using a Taser in Staffordshire, which is designated by Home Office counting as 'use', actually avoided further escalation to a more violent situation.

"With that in mind I will be asking ETAP to include in their forward work programme further examination of this issue including what sits behind the recent Home Office figures.

"I established ETAP 20 months to make sure independent, trained members of the public in Staffordshire could examine serious issues like Taser and Stop and Search which lie at the very heart of policing powers and therefore are critical to confidence in policing.

He also said that confidence in policing remained a 'top priority' and would be a focus on his future work.

Following the success of the ETAP, local Safer Neighbourhood Panels are being established across Staffordshire.

The panels offer resident the chance to shape the future of policing in their community and to discuss community safety issues in their area.

New panels are being set up in Lichfield and Stafford while panels are already running in Cannock, South Staffordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

Both residents and councillors sit on the panels and magistrates.