Dalian Atkinson: 50,000 call for taser review after death in Telford
More than 50,000 people have signed a petition calling for a review of the police use of tasers following the death of Dalian Atkinson in Telford.
It comes as the Independent Police Complaints Commission announced it had conducted a post mortem on the former Villa player, who died after he was tasered by police after visiting his father in Trench.
An online petition has attracted huge support since it was launched.
Thousands of people are signing the petition every hour, calling for Prime Minister Theresa May to launch an urgent review into the use of police tasers.
It was launched by father-of-three Jason Jackson from London, who has called into question the issue of race.
He said: "I was appalled and frightened to hear this news. If this can happen to a former Premiership footballer, then it could happen to me or my children.
"Atkinson's death is the 11th linked to the use of tasers by the police in this country.
"This incident has called into question the training and understanding on the use of tasers within our police force and the fatal consequences of institutional racism.
"Police forces should be upholding the law and protecting people, not causing their deaths.
"Theresa May, when Home Secretary, had previously raised concerns about the use of tasers. Now as prime minister she should take immediate action.
"I am calling on Theresa May to hold an urgent review of tasers and the medical implications of their use. We ask the Government to assess where other non-lethal weapons would be more effective and prevent unnecessary deaths in the future."
It has been revealed that Atkinson is said to have suffered heart and kidney problems, which could have left him more vulnerable.
Calum Macleod, vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, has previously defended its members use of tasers.
He said that officers are expected to deal with situations "that arise in the blink of an eye".
The use of tasers was also questioned by the former footballer's nephew Fabian following Dalian's death on Meadow Close in Trench.
The 31-year-old said he believed that the police panicked and over-reacted and said they should have found his medial history before using the weapon.
It has also been revealed that Dalian's family had been in contact with a charity that supports former professional footballers who are struggling to adjust to normal life.