ARMED police officers in Hertfordshire have been supplied with a new weapon in the fight against crime.

About 50 trained officers will now carry an electronic Taser gun as an alternative option to resolve dangerous situations. The laser sighted weapon fires a pair of barbs which attach to the skin or clothing and deliver an electrical charge which contracts the muscles and momentarily stun the victim. The effects are immediate and can last as long as the charge is applied.

Head of the constabulary's firearms unit, Inspector Derek Hollick, said: "Taser provides firearms officers with another option to use which may be more appropriate than a conventional firearm in certain circumstances."

Inspector Hollick said the Taser is not a replacement for traditional firearms and officers would still carry guns if the situation called for them. He said the Taser would give officers an extra option to deal with a situation where someone posed a serious risk of injury like a person carrying a knife.

The implementation of the electronic gun follows a 12-month trial period in five other police forces across the country and a rigorous testing of the technology by Home Office experts.

Each Taser costs around £750 and can be fired from a range of 21 ft.