Tasers have now been rolled out across Croydon.

There are 31 officers who are specially trained to use tasers in the borough but at any one time there will be two to four officers on duty who can use a taser.

Officers carrying tasers will be on general response patrols, responding to 999 calls and directed to calls where a taser might be required for example if the situation turns violent.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams officers won’t be carrying them.

Superintendent Rob Atkin said: “There has been a selection process where our best people will carry the devices. They have gone through vigorous training.

“There is a lot of debate around using a taser but the long lasting injuries of a taser are basically none, compared to being hit by an asp which can break someone’s arm.”

Monique Ribeiro, chair of the Croydon Police Community Group (CPCG) said it was important tasers were used responsibly.

She said: “British Transport Police have been using them for a while. Police have worked through the responsibilities of using a taser and I heard that the training was very comprehensive.

“The sad thing is that they feel there is a need to issue taser so I just hope they are not abused.”