§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the numbers of incidents when CS spray has been used by the police force in Gloucestershire for the most recent five years for which records are available; [51391]
(2) what representations he has received on the potential dangers posed by CS spray; [51393]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the police use of CS spray. [51394]
§ Mr. MichaelSince 1 January 1996, there have been 46 Parliamentary Questions about police use of CS spray, and the Home Office has received 55 letters from hon. Members on the subject. Since 1 April 1997, 69 letters on the subject have been received from members of the public.
CS sprays have been discharged by Gloucestershire police officers in 138 incidents since its introduction there on 14 April 1997.
In December 1996, the Home Office Police Research Group published an assessment of police operational trials of CS spray. The trials involved 16 forces and took place between March and August 1996.
In October 1997, my right hon. Friend reviewed the available evidence relating to the use of CS spray by the police and confirmed our support for its use. During operational trials, it was found that CS typically took 258W effect within five seconds. We have no doubt that, in many cases, its use has not only prevented injury to police officers and members of the public but prevented any injury to the person who would otherwise have been subject to physical restraint.