A HUMAN rights group has called on police to only use their Taser in a life threatening situation - after new figures revealed they had been used by Bradford officers 405 times in six years.

Amnesty International wants forces across the UK to train officers to the "highest possible standards" and offer better training than is currently available.

This comes after information provided to the Telegraph and Argus through a Freedom of Information request found the device, which fires electrodes at suspects and delivers an electric shock of 50,000 volts, was fired at a Bradford suspect nine times between August 2017 and February this year to protect both the officers and public from harm.

However, police define the use of a Taser by categorising if it was 'Armed', 'Red Dot', 'Drawn', 'Angle Drive Stun' or 'Arced', and the figures show a Taser was used against a Bradford suspect 62 times over the same period.

Officers working in the district used the stun guns 405 times between January 2011 and July 2017.

The use of them peaked in 2012 when they were used 107 times, compared to 55 instances in 2017.

Oliver Sprague, Amnesty International UK's Arms Control Director, said: “The Taser is an extremely powerful weapon, and has been shown to be dangerous when misused.

"The UK’s own medical advice warns that it can cause death or other harmful effects, especially when used against vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and those with mental health concerns.

“Because of these risks, it must be subject to the highest levels of training, accountability and professional standards within the UK police force. It must be a specialist weapon, used only in specific circumstances.

“Any officer who carries one must be trained to the highest possible standards.

"Indeed, we would argue that the Taser should be subject to better training at the moment, with more emphasis placed on regular and ongoing assessment of individual officers ability and judgement to use the weapon.

“We also want to see strengthened guidance in when Taser can be used to ensure it is only used in life-threatening situations, with more clearer warnings against using it on children or other vulnerable groups.”

West Yorkshire Police initially introduced the Taser as an additional option for use by its authorised firearms officers.

However, the Home Secretary allowed the use of a Taser to be broadened to Specially Trained Units, officers who undertake routine patrol duties in each of the force's territorial districts and have, as one of a number of options, Tasers available to them.

All Specially Trained Units are required to wear body worn video cameras whenever they are carrying Taser.

Chief Inspector Marc Adams, of Bradford District Police, said: "All police officers in Bradford District who are trained to use Taser are accountable for ensuring its use is proportionate to the circumstances.

"Every time Taser is used its deployment is reviewed by a chief officer to make sure its use was legitimate and in line with West Yorkshire Police policy.

"Taser is one of a number of tactical options which allows officers to manage difficult incidents and protect those involved.”