Police set to be permanently armed with CS spray

Police are set to be permanently armed with CS spray after trial findings concluded that the device is a success. The sprays were issued to around 2,500 officers from 16 forces in England and Wales at the beginning of March. Police chiefs hoped they would help stem the rising toll of injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Opponents have argued the spray has dangerous side effects and has not been properly tested. In the first two months, sprays were used on 131 occasions and were drawn but not fired in another 174 incidents. A final decision will be made at the end of the six-month trial.