TWICE as many police officers in Greater Manchester will be trained to use Tasers, it has been announced.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins stated last week that the number of officers trained in using Tasers will raise to 1,100.

Police said the decision has been made to provide increased protection to the public and officers responding to serious incidents.

The decision has been made following the Manchester Arena bombing and the recent terror attacks in London. Each officer selected to undergo training will go through a rigorous assessment process, in line with national guidelines, to ensure that they are suitable to carry a Taser.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “The threat level we are facing is significant as we have seen from recent atrocities in our city and in the capital. We have seen attacks targeting innocent people in crowded places using knives, causing death and serious injury.

“I believe it is necessary to increase the number of specially trained officers authorised to carry Tasers. This is necessary in order to better protect the people of Greater Manchester and the officers of Greater Manchester Police.

“Keeping our communities safe is our number one priority and this uplift will allow us to better equip officers to respond to the increasing threat of terrorism and serious crime.

“It is often the case that just having a Taser officer present can diffuse a threatening situation without them actually having to use it or get involved in a physical confrontation.

“This was not a decision taken lightly and we have consulted with and worked very closely with Greater Manchester Police Federation and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

“We have received unilateral support from both for the decision to better protect the public and officers.”

Beverly Hughes, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, has authorised capital expenditure of £1.03 million for the new officers to be trained.

Mrs Hughes said: “Following the recent terror attacks in Manchester and London we have to ensure that the police have the equipment they need to deal effectively with potentially serious incidents.

“One aspect of this is increasing the number of officers trained to carry Tasers, which will ensure the people of Greater Manchester are better protected, as well as police officers themselves.

“Equally important is maintaining and developing the strong relationships that Greater Manchester police officers have with local communities.

“This is another key element in keeping people safe and will continue to be a high priority for Greater Manchester Police.”

Ian Hanson, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, welcomed the decision, saying that this has been done after GMP was asked to review its position last year.

He added that the decision will go a long way to ensuring officers can continue to protect their communities whilst also keeping themselves safe at the same time.