Notts police seize mobile phone stun gun

Notts police are in a state of semi-shock after seizing a "potentially lethal" stun gun disguised as a Sony Ericsson W700.

The weapon was recovered from two young men on 28 February in the Hyson Green area of Nottingham, according to the Nottingham Evening Post. It looks like a normal mobile phone but boasts a handy "Stun" button which can, police forensic experts claim, deliver a 900,000-volt electric shock via two small metal prongs.

Detective Sergeant Dave Bola, of Notts Police, told the BBC: "It's a shock that we found it. We are always concerned about finding different types of weapons on the streets. This could potentially kill someone."

A police spokesman elaborated: "It could render someone unconscious and may even be powerful enough to kill an older person. Forensic tests have been carried out on the weapon and we are making inquiries as to where it originated from."

The mobile stun gun is, of course, at an estimated 900,000V, 18 times more potentially lethal than the 50,000V "non-lethal" Taser, which now forms part of the Nottingshire force's law enforcement arsenal.*

The mobile phone version of the Taser has, meanwhile, been available for some time. Back in 2004, we reported they were being punted on eBay in the UK, and security-conscious Americans can pick one up for just $49.95 - a price which includes a "100dB high pitch tone alarm" and useful "Super bright LED flashlight". ®

Bootnote

*In November last year, the Home Secretary said Tasers "could become standard equipment" for police officers, rather than solely for use by trained firearms officers.

A number of UK forces are running pilot projects where ordinary coppers are issued with Tasers, and the results of these "will be used to develop a national policy".