POLICE in Dorset recorded 1,572 so-called use of force incidents in the three months to the end of June.

The figure means less than seven per cent of the incidents attended by officers across the county required officers to record use of force in a new way introduced by the Home Office.

From April 1, a new way of recording use of force tactics became compulsory for all police forces, with officers required to fill out a form every time any type of force is used in the course of their duties.

Police forces across the country are now expected to release that data on a quarterly basis as part of a commitment to transparency and openness.

More than three quarters - 77 per cent - of forms in Dorset were completed after contact with men. Half were after contact with people between the ages of 18 and 34.

Tasers were drawn on 32 occasions and fired six times.

Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “Our officers face dangerous situations every day and in the current climate it is imperative that we employ proportionate and appropriate tactics in each situation we face in order to achieve our number one objective, protecting the public.

“Use of force tactics are there to protect not only the public but also the safety of our officers. Figures show that in the same time period 75 officers were assaulted in Dorset.

“Our officers go through rigorous and continued training on tactics which are considered by the Home Office as a use of force. Officers are highly trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when necessary."

“This data gives insight into what being a police officer involves, and the challenges they deal with whilst also providing information to help us compare effectiveness of different techniques. This enables us to make more informed decisions about training, tactics and equipment.