Lancashire Constabulary used Tasers on children on dozens of occasions last year

But officers did not report firing the electrical weapons in any of those cases.

The Children’s Rights Alliance for England says the recorded increase in use of Tasers against children by police forces across England and Wales is “alarming”.

The children’s human rights charity says “being threatened” with a Taser can be extremely frightening for a child even if the weapon is not fired, and has called for a ban on their use on young people.

Home Office figures show Lancashire Constabulary drew Tasers on children aged under 18 on 28 occasions in 2019-20, up from eight the previous year.