More police in Kent could soon be armed with tasers to help tackle violent criminals.

The force is hoping the Home Office will provide officers with more of the 10,000 volt devices after it entered its bid for funding.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has allocated £8million towards a programme to roll out use of the weapons across the country's police forces.

Since 2005, Kent Police has used the weapons 30 times. Out of these, three individuals were actually hit with the taser darts.

Steve Harris, Assistant Chief Constable in charge of operational support for Kent Police, said: "Our bid is in and we are awaiting confirmation of the outcome of that, which we hope to receive imminently.

"If the device's red dot goes on some of the suspects often they immediately want to give up, which means that they don't have to get involved in any fracas with the officers.

"If they were to be darted it provides a strong electrical current, which is within the tolerances of safety but incapacitates a person and makes them more liable to be compliant and arrestable."

Kent Police says any officer entrusted with a taser would be trained to a national standard and reaccredited annually.