SPECIALLY trained Gwent Police units used tasers 13 times in 16 months - but only discharged them twice, according to new Home Office figures.

For three years, Taser was only available to authorised firearms officers.

But in July 2007, the government announced that specially trained units (STU) who were not firearms officers, but were facing similar threats of violence, would be trialed in ten police forces.

Gwent was one of those chosen to take part in the year-long pilot beginning that September.

Following the success of the trial, the Home Secretary agreed last November to extend Taser use to STU throughout the country.

Officers can only use the weapon when they are facing violence, or threats of violence, of such severity that they would need to use force to protect the public or themselves.

The Home Office figures also revealed that between September 2007 and the end of December 2008, Gwent Police reported ten "red dot" incidents - when the laser sight was activated but not fired - and on occasion it was only aimed at someone.

Taser use by STU in Gwent was among the lowest in the trial areas.

In Northumbria, it was used 357 times being discharged on 59 occasions.

Authorised firearms officers used the weapon 23 times, discharging it on just one occasion, between July 2007 and December 2008.

Figures are also given from April 2004, when Taser use was allowed by all forces, to December 2008.

These show that Gwent officers used then on a total of 65 occasions, discharging them just seven times.

William Graham, Conservative AM for South Wales East, said the statistics for Gwent Police should greatly reassure members of the public.

They showed that Taser were an invaluable tool for promoting public and police safety.

“More importantly these figures highlight the professionalism and skill of officers in the Gwent Police special trained unit, that they are effectively using their TASERs; able to apprehend suspects without the need to discharge their weapons”.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said Taser provides officers with a method of protecting themselves and the public in a way that was less lethal than conventional firearms.

She added that the figures released by the Home Office highlighted the fact that the mere presence of Taser acted as a deterrent and allowed the officer to respond with minimal risk to the offender, public or themselves.

"There have been few incidents where Taser has been discharged in Gwent. Safety of the public, the potential offender and our staff remain a top priority and Taser is an additional tool which we can use to bring incidents to a safe and peaceful conclusion, limiting the possibility of serious injury."