Activists urge Taser rethink after attack on blind man

Lancashire police apparently mistook stroke victim Colin Farmer's white stick for a samurai sword last Friday, firing 50,000 volts into his back as he walked to his local pub in Chorley.

Police had received reports of an individual in the area brandishing a sword.

An officer is said to have shouted for Mr Farmer to stop and when he failed to do so discharged the Taser.

The incident comes following a marked increase in Taser use by British police forces and the government plans to extend their use to non-firearms officers.

But Green London Assembly Member Jenny Jones said an urgent review of the plans was required.

"The Metropolitan Police Authority put real restraints on the police use of Tasers as it recognised the danger of every officer being armed in that way.

"Sadly, Metropolitan police commissioner (Bernard) Hogan-Howe has made clear his intention to expand their use, but this case, along with many others, shows the problems of their widespread adoption."

Amnesty International arms programme director Oliver Sprague said the weapons should only be used "in the strictest set of circumstances" involving a threat to life or serious injury.

"It also shows that officers must undergo intensive, rigourous training which takes into account how to respond to people in vulnerable groups, including the visually impaired," he said.