THE Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner has branded proposals to arm all front-line police with a Taser a “mistake”.

Christopher Salmon made the claim in response to a Police Federation vote next month on plans to give all officers Taser training.

“Routine arming with Tasers would be a mistake and counter to the traditions of British policing,” said Mr Salmon

“Strong community relationships, not weapons, are the key to fighting terrorism - just as they are to fighting crime.”

The "non-lethal" weapons were first introduced in 2003 to be used by police to subdue fleeing, or potentially dangerous people.

During the roll-out all officers were required to take a training course before being allowed to use them.

In 2009 Police Executive Research Forum study concluded that officer injuries dropped by 76 per cent when a Taser was used.

The weapons were deployed 10,380 times across England and Wales in 2013 and there have been a number of controversial deaths related to their use.

The head of the Police Federation has said that all front-line officers in Wales and England should carry Tasers in light of the heightened threat of terrorism.

Steve White said that terrorists seeking to attract attention could attack at any time, anywhere in the UK.

"The federation is to vote on the proposal to offer all front-line officers Taser training next month," said Mr White.

"Some officers may choose not to carry one. The alternative is to have officers out there without anything at all - we have to do something.

"Police officers should be able to respond to the current threat environment.

"We have got to make sure that we give them every opportunity to respond to the threat," he said.

"Because it's not just their personal safety, it is the safety of the public as well."