A POLICE force is preparing to train extra officers to extend its use of Tasers to control criminals in its rural area.

North Yorkshire Police has used the devices for several years with 70 officers trained to use them from the Firearms Support Unit.

It now proposes extending this number of officers by a further 55 specially trained staff across its area to use the Taser.

It comes after the Home Secretary offered 10,000 Tasers to police forces nationally for use from January 1 this year.

Figures released by North Yorkshire Police show that despite public reservations about Tasers they have proven effective in 75 per cent of cases.

In 2007 North Yorkshire Police drew Tasers 19 times and discharged them three times and in 2008 they were drawn 15 times and discharged on four occasions.

North Yorkshire Police Authority feels that the figures show that merely drawing the Taser proves a deterrent in most cases.

It is envisaged that training the 55 officers will cost £33,000 with a further £2,000 to secure the Tasers.

The devices will then need to be replaced in five years which will cost the force a further £925 per Taser or £92,500 in total.

The police authority’s special policy and planning board is asked to review the information and to approve the training of the new officers on June 26.