Officers from Bedfordshire Police are the first in the country to be equipped with a new "baton gun" which fires rubber bullets.

The gun is considered a "less lethal" option than convential firearms and is being carried on the force's armed response vehicles.

It was given clearance by the Home Office in June 2001 to be used when the public or police officers are "at risk".

Although it is billed as less dangerous than other weapons, police say it could still prove fatal in some cases.

Less lethal

Trials of the gun have been carried out in Kent, London, West Mercia, Manchester and Surrey.

Bedfordshire is the first force to have officers carrying the baton gun on the streets.

The baton gun fires bullets which are half the size of plastic and less lethal.

They are designed to disable a person rather than cause death and are more accurate than other rubber bullets.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Bedfordshire is the first of 36 forces to deploy them routinely on armed response vehicles.

"It is hoped by April 2002 the number of forces using them will have increased to 45.

"It is in line with guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers as a possible alternative to firearms in certain situations."

Bedfordshire Police said they were keen to introduce the baton gun quickly as this year 450 knife attacks and six murders in the county have involved knives.

As one of the smallest forces in the country, Bedfordshire has been able to train officers quicker than other forces which are also to use the new gun.

There are 43 officers trained in the use of firearms in Bedfordshire and two response vehicles on 24-hour patrol in the county.

The baton gun cannot be used alone and officers must have a conventional firearm to hand in case the baton gun fails to stop the suspect.