Police Taser danger claims

Published on 26/09/2006 11:47

HUMAN rights campaigners today called for Scottish police forces to stop using "Taser" stun guns, claiming evidence shows they can be lethal weapons.

Amnesty International said more than 150 people had died in the United States and Canada, after police used Tasers on them.

The devices are designed to incapacitate a suspect by sending thousands of volts through their body. Scottish police forces insist the devices can save lives.

However, researchers from Amnesty are to tell MSPs that in the US they have been used against young children, the elderly and pregnant women.