Chris Giacomantonio, Ben Bradford, Matthew Davies & Richard Martin, Assessing the Value of Mounted Police Units in the UK, RAND Europe (2014).

Cover was drafted in from neighbouring forces after it was reported some of the Met’s 2,595 marksmen were refusing to perform their armed roles. Corporation of London (1999), " Memorandum by the Corporation of London (IT 134)", House of Commons Select Committee on Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs During riots in August 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that police would be allowed to use rubber bullets – known as baton rounds – and also that the water cannon stationed in Northern Ireland was available to be deployed within 24 hours notice. However, both tactics were widely opposed, the former because rubber bullets have been reported to have killed several demonstrators in the past, and the latter because it would be not be effective in that particular situation. Quotescountering crimes committed by armed criminals. Each UK constabulary / force has some form of firearms team. We will keep the need for this support under review. Met officers still make up the vast majority of armed resources deployed across London. There are two classifications of incident that an AFO may be brought in to deal with: spontaneous i.e. armed officers are called to the scene of an incident as it occurs / has just occurred, and authorised i.e. a pre-planned operation.

In September 2004, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office approved the use of tasers throughout England and Wales by Authorised Firearms Officers following a trial. [2] In November 2008, the Home Secretary approved the use of tasers throughout England and Wales for all officers, lifting the Authorised Firearms Officer restriction, with officers who receive training and carry a taser known as 'specially trained units' (STU's). [20] [21] The vast majority of officers are instead issued with other items for personal defence, such as speedcuffs, extendable "ASP" batons, and incapacitant sprays such as PAVA or CS spray. While not firearms, incapacitant sprays are subject to some of the same rules and regulations as a projectile firing firearm under Section 5 (b) of the Firearms Act 1968. [1] Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 2014 c. 12 Busby, Mattha (4 July 2020). "Police smash car window of man on way home from TV interview about police racism". The Guardian . Retrieved 12 December 2021. In June 2005 the attenuating energy projectile (AEP) was introduced into operational service as the successor to the L21A1 baton round. It is said to be significantly safer, whilst retaining overall effectiveness.But her intervention has been criticised by opposition politicians, legal figures and civil rights campaigners. Labour’s Harriet Harman said: “Nothing must be done or said by any of us which would tend to interfere with the criminal justice system in any case.” The City of London area has a resident population of around 8,700, however there is also a daily influx of approximately 513,000 commuters into the city, along with thousands of tourists. [1]