Today's top stories includes coverage the Home Secretary launching the bidding platform for police forces to equip more tasers as well as the Express' Protect and Respect Frontline Heroes campaign.
Taser
The Express and Mirror report that police chiefs will today be offered the opportunity to arm an extra 10,000 officers with taser.
Home Secretary Priti Patel appeared on LBC, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast this morning to explain how use of Taser keeps both officers and the public safe.
Full statement can be found below.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
Our brave police officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and I am committed to giving them the tools they need keep themselves and the public safe.
The rise in assaults on officers is appalling which is why I am providing funding to equip up to 10,000 more officers with Taser - an important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations.
Protect and Respect Frontline Heroes campaign
The Express have published an op-ed from the Home Secretary in support of their Protect and Respect Frontline Heroes campaign for criminals to face longer sentences for attacking emergency service workers.
Writing in the paper, the Home Secretary said that the “utterly appalling” attack on prison officers at HMP Whitemoor is a “stark reminder” of just how dangerous the work of the emergency services is.
She calls for the “punishment to fit the crime”, adding that she is unapologetic about doubling the maximum sentence for assaulting emergency workers.
The Home Secretary's full op-ed can be found here.