The Metropolitan Police has defended the use of tasers on the elderly and young as a "sufficient" tactic to protect the public and officers. 

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show officers used the weapon on 11 people over the age of 60 in the 12 months up to April 2014 and 2 children aged 14 during the same period.

The stun-guns were aimed at a further 29 people aged over 60, including two 85-year-olds and thirteen children aged between 13 and 14. 

Tasers were used in 4,105 incidents and fired on 503 occasions. 

Conservative leader on the Greater London Authority, Andrew Boff, requested the information as he called for body-worn cameras to be activated as soon as tasers are taken from their holsters.

The Metropolitan Police said every use is recorded and monitored and subject to scrutiny by the Independent Firearms and Taser Reference Group. 

A spokesman for Scotland Yard, said: "It is important to note that in the majority of cases the presence of a taser is sufficient in bringing a violent or potentially violent situation to a swift conclusion.

"For example, in 2014, Tasers were fired in only 11 percent of all deployments.

"All officers authorised to carry Taser are thoroughly trained, and use it in accordance with all the relevant material guidelines.

"The situations in which taser is considered for use, along with existing tactical options, are those involving violence or threats of violence with such severity that officers would need to use force to protect the public, the subject themselves and their colleagues.

"A taser creates space between the subject and police, reducing the need for physical contact and also the risk of unintended or unnecessary injuries to all parties."