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Use of Force 2020/21 Q3

Only 9% of incidents which took place in October to December 2020 involved Use of Force.

  • Total number of incidents: 42,109
  • Number of Uses of Force recorded: 3,791

How did we use force during this time period?

Types of Use of Force used:

  • Unarmed skills/physical restraint used: 1,846
  • Compliant handcuffing: 1,494
  • Non-compliant handcuffing: 1,040
  • Ground restraint: 663
  • Limb/body restraints: 309
  • Taser: 287
  • Other/improvised: 277
  • Spit guard: 145
  • Irritant spray – drawn: 139
  • Irritant spray – used: 138
  • Baton drawn: 39
  • Baton used: 25

Comparison to national statistics

Restraint tactics:

  • National: 62%
  • Avon and Somerset: 54%

Unarmed skills:

  • National: 22%
  • Avon and Somerset: 28%

Less lethal weapons:

  • National: 5%
  • Avon and Somerset: 5%

Other equipment:

  • National: 4%
  • Avon and Somerset: 8%

Other tactics:

  • National: 4%
  • Avon and Somerset: 4%

Firearms:

  • National: 0.5%
  • Avon and Somerset: 0%

Statistical breakdown of data

Gender of subject:

  • 2976 Male
  • 794 Female
  • 14 Transgender

Ethnicity of subject:

  • 78% White
  • 8% Black
  • 3% Mixed heritage
  • 1% Asian
  • 1% Somalian
  • 9% Other

Body worn video:

  • 88% of the time

Officer threatened:

  • 79% No
  • 21% Yes

Taser use per month 2020

Taser use per month:

  • January: 85
  • February: 92
  • March: 112
  • April: 98
  • May: 132
  • June: 108
  • July: 105
  • August: 110
  • September: 115
  • October: 92
  • November: 95
  • December: 92
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