Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to requiring all police officers in England and Wales carrying tasers to be equipped with Body Worn Video devices in order to reduce the number of incidents where tasers are used.

The Government recognises that Body Worn Video (BWV) can be a powerful tool and can play an important role in reassuring the public that the police are using their powers appropriately and proportionately. How a force deploys BWV is an operational matter for PCC’s and Chief Constables to determine.

We are committed to giving the police the necessary tools to do their job and Tasers provide officers with an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations. However, the Government is clear that all use of force must be lawful, proportionate and necessary in all circumstances.

As at January 2019, 66,000 BWV cameras have been deployed across po-lice forces in England and Wales. All 43 forces are due to complete their deployment plans to increase their BWV capability by the end of 2019, which will take the number of cameras to approximately 80,000.