POLICE, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan is asking people whether police officers in Craven should be able to carry Tasers at all times.

Mrs Mulligan, who launched an online survey today (Friday) wants to know the views of members of the public on any wider roll-out of the electric stun guns.

And although the decision will be ultimately down to North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable, Lisa Winward, Mrs Mulligan wants to know whether the public think financial investment in the devices is a good thing.

Police say Tasers can act as a deterrent to those acting aggressively, keep officers a safe distance from danger and reduce the risk of harm to themselves and the public.

But they can also have an impact on community engagement with the public less comfortable interacting with more armed officers. About 40 per cent of frontline police currently carry Tasers in North Yorkshire, and last year, they were used 226 times to manage an incident, and fired on 38 occasions.

Mrs Mulligan said: “The use of Tasers, and whether we should equip all officers with one, has been in the national spotlight following the tragic death of PC Andrew Harper in Berkshire.

“While North Yorkshire remains the safest place in England to live, work and visit, we face challenges just like anywhere else. Making sure our police officers have every resource possible to keep them safe, so they can keep us all safe, is hugely important to me which is why I want to know what people think about a wider deployment of the devices.”

The online survey will, run until Sunday, September 29. It can be accessed at: telljulia.com. People without access to the internet can also phone Mrs Mulligan’s office on 01423 569 562.