Police issued with Tasers as security is stepped in preparation for Royal Wedding

[TriWooOx]

Quote:Royal protection officers have started carrying Tasers as standard issue after the attack on Prince Charles and Camilla in their car during the student-fees riot.

And the non-lethal electric-shock weapons will now be deployed at the Royal Wedding.

The revelation comes after an officer accompanying Prince Harry to a nightclub was spotted sporting a Taser on his waist when his blazer flapped open early yesterday morning.

The black-and-yellow plastic device – which delivers a 50,000-volt electric shock to targets – was tucked into his holster next to a police walkie-talkie as he and the Prince left exclusive London venue Maddox at 2am.

Tasers were issued to all members of the police Royal protection branch SO14 in February, after what was considered the single worst breach of Royal security in a generation at the riot in December.

The branch previously had just 20 Tasers, to be deployed only on Royal premises.

Yesterday police sources confirmed the weapons will also be deployed at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29.

A police source said: ‘Previously officers had the option to use Tasers. Now it is recommended they carry them.’

SO14 officers continue to have access to traditional firearms.

The Taser is the size of a handgun and fires a dart to deliver an electric shock from up to 21ft. The shock lasts for about 20 seconds.

Neither the Metropolitan Police nor Clarence House would comment.

Police announced a major shake-up of royal security in the aftermath of December's mob attack on the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, although they have declined to give details of any operational initiatives.

During that security fiasco, the royal couple's car was heavily damaged after being surrounded by a mob of demonstrators in central London.

But next month's celebrations are expected to require thousands of officers to line the streets of the capital along the route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

In addition, thousands will be needed on rooftops for surveillance and thousands more working behind the scenes on counter terrorism measures.

Irish and Islamic terrorist groups are considered serious threats to the occasion, while there are also fears over anarchist groups and hundreds of lone individuals with known mental health problems who have stalked members of the royal family.

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