Essex Police firearms teams could soon be using 50,000-volt shocks to render criminals helpless.

The force plans to buy Taser guns after the Home Office approved their use across the country.

The Government decision came after trials in other areas found the US-made weapons had a "low risk" of killing their target.

Essex Police confirmed it planned to equip trained firearms officers with the guns for certain kinds of incidents.

But it could be several months before they get them because the force needs to work out how many it needs and instructors need to go on training courses.

A spokesman said: "It's another tool with which to tackle the situations our officers find themselves in. It gives more options."

Published Thursday, September 16, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette