Cumbria Police have used tasers - electronic stun guns - 62 times in the past three years, including on a 14-year-old girl.

The revelation came after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, originally submitted by Sky News, came to light yesterday.

Figures released under the FOI request show that police officers in the county used a taser 22 times in 2016, 19 times in 2017 and 21 times betwee January and November this year.

Three of the incidents since 2016 have involved a taser being used to subdue dogs.

On two occasions, police officers used tasers to tackle individuals under the age of 18.

A Cumbria Police spokesman explained that the younger of the two individuals was “a 14-year-old who claimed to have a machete and had threatened self harm.”

The spokesman added that a taser was discharged but the barbs did not go through her jacket.

“It was used as a last resort tactic to save her life when she tried to commit suicide.”

The other incident involved “a 17-year-old who had a knife and threatened a member of the public,” the spokesman continued.

“Officers did not know his age as the incident unfolded.”

The spokesman added that these incidents demonstrated the “tough choices that have to be made when dealing with people in mental health crisis.”

Tasers fire two metal darts attached to the gun by wires. These darts are designed to penetrate the skin and deliver 50,000 volts through the body.

This electric shock is not designed to kill, but to temporarily paralyse by disrupting an individual’s nervous system.

The oldest person shot with a taser by Cumbria Police was 64.

Cumbria Police explained to the News & Star that tasers are not carried by all of their officers.

“Cumbria Constabulary makes Taser available for use by selected and specially trained officers in incidents of violence or threats of violence where officers are likely to have to use force to protect themselves, others or the individuals involved from real harm – predominantly but not exclusively where weapons are involved,” a spokesman for the force said.

“We take the use of Taser very seriously. It continues to be used only where necessary and justified in law to prevent harm being caused.”

The use of tasers in the UK has not been without controversy. In 2016, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child repeated its call for a UK band on the use of tasers against children, making reference to the UN right of a child to freedom from all forms of violence. These calls have been echoed by campaign group Amnesty International.

However, Cumbria Police maintain that tasers can play an effective role in protecting public safety.

“The Constabulary is content that Taser remains an effective means of resolving violent incidents, reassuring the public and protecting police officers going about their lawful duties.”