London Riots: Police 'Prepare To Use Plastic Bullets' if Violence Continues

The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 8/9/11

[marshmallow]

London police said on Tuesday they will consider using baton rounds as calls mounted for them to use stronger measures in riots that have been sweeping the capital for the last three nights.

"That's a tactic that will be used by the Metropolitan police if deemed necessary," Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh told reporters.

Officers said they hoped they were wrong as they said they were "preparing for mass disorder again" tonight.

Senior Scotland Yard officers, led by Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin, met a number of departments last night to discuss the use of various tactics.

Asked about other tactics, such as plastic bullets or baton rounds, Mr Kavanagh said: "Through the night the Commissioner did absolutely consider that as one of the tactics available to use, a tactic used if deemed necessary.

"These are very fast-moving mobs - by the time we get baton guns there, they will have moved on."

[marshmallow]

Came across this classic piece of "let's not over react chaps" British sang froid on the Telegraph's Riots Live.

18.20 Sir Hugh Orde, head of the Association of Chief Police Officers, has told The Guardian that water cannon and plastic bullets are currently not necessary in London. He said:

"I do not think it would be sensible in any way shape or form to deploy water canon or baton rounds in London. Baton rounds are very serious bits of equipment. I would only deploy them in life threatening situations where my officers were under live fire, bombs or massive petrol bombs."

"What is happening in London is not an insurgency that is going to topple the country. There are 8 million people in London and it is a tiny proportion doing this. They are gangs of looters and criminals and although it is concerning it has to be kept in proportion."

[cripplecreek]

I think they’re going to have to go all the way on this one.

Start with rubber bullets and make it clear that its up to them if it ends with rubber or lead.

[TSgt]

[2ndDivisionVet]

I suggest lead bullets.

[Rio]

If that doesn’t work... paint-balls!

[mark3681]

Now, now young people. You’d better stop that, or, or, or, well, uh, we’ll wear our helmets and shields and back away from you. If that doesn’t make you stop we’ll yell at you.

Hell’s bells! Grow a pair! get out the water cannons, bean bag guns, rubber bullets, whatever. Just do it! Or you won’t have a London to protect.

[dragnet2]

These are the plastic bullets made by Charmin Works in Manchester, a major supplier of plastic munitions.

They have tiny ultra-soft absorbent pillow type material on the end of each round so as not to cause permanent damage or skin rash.

It’s being reported, if the rioting continues into a 4th night, the police will consider using the new Q-tip rounds.

[Red_Devil 232]

Hugh Orde is an idiot!

[colorado tanker]

[brent13a]

I would only deploy them in life threatening situations where my officers were under live fire, bombs or massive petrol bombs."

This is a perfect example of the roll-over and die nicey-nicey guns-are-bad mindest that has infected Europe the past 100 years and especially the increasingly socialist countries like GB.

So this a$$hat would send his officers out to a gunfight with plastic bullets. He would prefer to have his officers use less-lethal force against criminals using lethal force against them. What would it take for this jaggoff to actually use overwhelming force to quell massive riots?

I swear nothing but buggery been going on in GB and it's really been showing lately

At least we'll last a little longer than they will.....

[wideawake]

He’s no Orde Wingate.

[littleharbour]

The English never had any hesitation in using blunt force in Northern Ireland, but it seems a different standard applies when the unrest is in London instead of its occupied territories.

[chesley]

Live bullets would put an end to the riots immediately.

If a flare-up occurs, repeats as necessary.

[johniegrad]

I understand the desire to be humanitarian. And perhaps law enforcement knows they will be second guessed in the courts if some people get injured. But if this continues, they are going to have to kill some people, regrettably. The direction this is going is of no good to anyone.

[bcsco]

Hugh Orde is an idiot!

Hugh is a series idiot.

[pgkdan]

What’s the matter? No lead bullets in the UK these days. Old Mayor Daly may have been a corrupt old bastard but he knew how to deal with rioters and looters.

[gusty]

The differance is that the people on the Falls Road did not have the protective sun tan that those rioting now have, so it was alright to open up on them.

[Cheetahcat]

I would suggest the use of buckshot, until the street is quiet and safe.

[NELSON111]

18.20 Sir Hugh Orde, head of the Association of Chief Police Officers, has told The Guardian that water cannon and plastic bullets are currently not necessary in London. He said: "I do not think it would be sensible in any way shape or form to deploy water canon or baton rounds in London.

Then you guys deserve everything you get...and I do not feel sorry for you. I HAD been watching the BBC...feeling a little bit of pity. No more.

[ZX12R]

The English never had any hesitation in using blunt force in Northern Ireland, but it seems a different standard applies when the unrest is in London instead of its occupied territories.

That is a very interesting contrast you've pointed out there.