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."
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.
I suggest lead bullets.
If that doesn’t work... paint-balls!
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.
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.
Hugh Orde is an idiot!
Live bullets would put an end to the riots immediately.
If a flare-up occurs, repeats as necessary.
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.
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.
I would suggest the use of buckshot, until the street is quiet and safe.
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.
“London police said on Tuesday they will consider using baton rounds”
and they’ll might consider raising their voice and making other scary threats if extreme violence continues.
What the h#@! are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language? - Private Frost
Prepare?! "Commence to begin to start to get ready to prepare" would be more likely be a reflection of Brit thinking. These are not the people who stood up to Hitler and Mussolini, or to the Japanese war machine.
Here’s a comment from my friend in the UK after I advised they should switch to real bullets:
“Jack,
We are OK. Unbelievable what is going on. Whilst it is rioting, it nonetheless in truth is a race issue. The Rioters are 90% black/Asian but nobody will mention this and because of this the Police do not use any meaningful force against the rioters. We need the New York police force, they would not stand back and be pelted with bricks by black and Asian teenage rioters.”
He might be wrong about the NYPD but interesting anyway.
What he is saying is simply that the mob is free to hurt certain people and burn them out and he doesn't care ~
Equality under the law is not a Brit ideal sad to say.
As in 
"Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time!"