Your email address is safe with us. View our Privacy policy.
London may put armed officers on streets
The proposal is a response to a rise in gang violence and shootings in some neighborhoods, The Independent reported. Officials say the number of gun crimes rose 17 percent in the past six months.
Under the plan, officers from the specialist firearms unit, which has the code name CO19, would go on patrol with unarmed neighborhood officers in areas, including housing projects, where gun violence is most prevalent.
Since the first police forces were created in Britain in the 19th century, patrol officers have never routinely carried firearms. In London, armed officers have been deployed on the street only when protecting officials or in response to reports of an armed suspect, although officers carry firearms at Heathrow International Airport.
Some members of the Metropolitan Police Authority, which supervises the police, openly opposed the plan. They said they had not been consulted.
"We want fewer guns on the streets not more, and people to feel safe in their community -- not scared of those who are supposed to protect them," Joanne McCartney, a member of the MPA, said.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International
This news arrived on: 10/23/2009
Printer Friendly Version | Send this page to a friend | Post Comment
Rate This Story:
Great - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Bad
Posted Comments:
Comment archive | Comment FAQ's
 |
 |
View UK News ezine stories by date or visit the complete archive |
The ArcaMax Politics channel is one of 70 content categories offered by ArcaMax Publishing on this ... |
VideoSquares.com
