MORE frontline police officers in Hampshire will be armed with tasers after pressure from the force’s rank and file over their safety.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh has announced that the number of officers who will be trained to use the controversial devices will increase by 20 per cent.

It comes after the chairman of the Hampshire Police Federation called on the force to arm more police due to increasing “extreme levels of violence” they face and the cut in police numbers.

Currently around 300 officers are trained to use tasers and this move will see a further 60 officers receive training to carry them while on duty.

Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter said: “I’m pleased that the Chief Constable and the Police Crime Commissioner have listened to our calls for a wider rollout of tasers and agreed to train a further 60 officers to use them. Tasers are an effective way of preventing violent confrontations escalating and in the short time we have been using tasers we have seen this to be the case.”

Chief Constable Andy Marsh and Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes made the decision to boost the number of officers able to use the devices following pressure from the Hampshire Police Federation, which surveyed its members on the use of tasers.

Of the 1,110 people who responded, 84 per cent wanted more access to the devices because of concerns over officer safety.

Mr Hayes confirmed that he had agreed to fund the extended  rollout, which will cost almost £20,000.