POLICE in West Mercia aimed firearms at suspects 16 times between October and December 2017.
However on no occasion was a weapon fired although officers did draw or use an incapacitant spray 100 times over the quarter.
These and other statistics are found in the publication of West Mercia’s third quarter use of force figures.
The figures reveal that out of a total of 64,294 incidents force was used on less than two per cent of occasions – 1,024 times over the three months.
In all there were 759 cases of handcuffs being used, a police dog was used 29 times while two people were actually bitten by one.
Tasars were dran 43 times and used 11 times, while officers used an ‘unarmed skill’ – a push or wrist lock, 1.034 times.
Batons were drawn or used 21 times and a spit guard used on 23 occasions.
A spokesperson said: “Each day West Mercia Police respond to thousands of incidents across the communities we serve as we fulfil our role of upholding the law and keeping the peace.
“The vast majority of these matters are resolved without requiring any form of conflict.
“However, on very rare occasions there is a necessity for our officers to use force to safely diffuse a situation in order to protect people from harm.
“Use of force tactics include; an officer taking hold of someone’s arm, using handcuffs, deploying a police dog and using a baton, irritant spray, Taser or firearm.”
Reasons for using force range from arrest (36 per cent), preventing escape (six per cent) and protecting people 44 per cent.
The actions of the subject ranged from stuggling (44 per cent), spitting and biting (two per cent) kicking, punching and head-butting (eight per cent) to threats or gestures (11 per cent).
Only 11 per cent of the subjects were compliant.
For more on the data visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/useofforce
