FRONTLINE police officers should all be armed with tasers, according to the police federation.

The union for police described it “as a matter of urgency” but Amnesty International disagree.

Use of Tasers more than trebled in Essex during the first year they were available to more than just specially trained firearms officers and the concern is the use of tasers could become commonplace.

Federation chairman Steve White said: “We have long called for a wider roll-out of Taser.

“Now the time is right for all operational police officers to have the option to carry Taser which I believe will provide greater public reassurance.

“It is only right that police officers be given the choice to carry Taser and we urge Government and all chief officers to give this their support.”

Essex Chairman Mark Smith said: “I think if the Taser, or the sight of the Taser, or a red dotting on someone, is enough to stop one officer being assaulted I think it’s worth its price.

“With officer numbers dropping the back up isn’t just around the corner like it used to be.”

In 2013 an extra 60 Tasers were given to frontline officers as well as firearms teams, who were the only ones with them previously.

In 2013 the number of Taser deployments rose to 152, up from 42 just four years previously.

This includes times fired and times drawn.

Nick Alston, police and crime commissioner for Essex, believes a balance should be struck between police response and safety and a public consultation is needed.

He said: “ I know there is some public concern about the use of Taser and the risks associated with it and there would be extensive costs in training all officers in the safe use of Taser, and in equipping them with the device.

“A clear case would need to be made that such expenditure is in the best interests of both the public and our police officers.”

However Amnesty International claim the arming of officers with Tasers is disproportionate.

UK Arms programme director Oliver Sprague said: “Where’s the evidence to support the claim that arming all officers with Tasers would realistically counter terrorist attacks?

“Or indeed a detailed risk assessment which concludes that a move to fully arm all officers with Tasers is proportionate and necessary, given that the UK already has specialist armed teams and large numbers of Taser-carrying officers?

“Tasers are not a panacea. They are potentially lethal weapons which should be used only in specific circumstances where there’s a clear risk of death or serious injury.”