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."

[SampleMan]

10 minutes of unabashed shotgun use would end the riots.

[SVTCobra03]

[jim35]

“The English never had any hesitation in using blunt force in Northern Ireland”

THAT is exactly what I have been thinking.
Jim’s wife

[jim35]

“The English never had any hesitation in using blunt force in Northern Ireland”

THAT is exactly what I have been thinking.
Jim’s wife

[Tailback]

ROFLOL! After countless times watching that movie, I just now realized that Brave Sir Robin’s coat of arms has a chicken on it! Hilarious!

[Doc Savage]

Oh NO! No the rubber bullets! heavens!

[SampleMan]

I see you have a way of cutting it down to 5 minutes of shotgun use. Excellent.

[ZX12R]

Their idea is that their attention spans are short and they will soon tire of rioting and looting.

They could be right, and they better darn well hope they are, because after what I've seen the last two days, that's the only thing they're willing to try. This is pure madness from both sides. I can't wait to tune in to BBC live later and watch the events tonight. Will it be worse or better, you think?

[gusty]

He’s wrong about the NYPD. They stood back and let the same ilk stage a pogrom in Crown Heights.

[muawiyah]

They already have scenes of violence from UK. It's spreading. Other cities. Other places in London.

The authorities have certainly taught the thugs that violence and looting pays big dividends.

[ZX12R]

They already have scenes of violence from UK. It's spreading. Other cities. Other places in London. The authorities have certainly taught the thugs that violence and looting pays big dividends.

Still going on, huh? I'll be watching later. Got some chores first. Won't be long though, I don't plan on any looting after chores. Not tonight, anyway.

[tal hajus]

They should start saying “nee”. That should do it.

[brent13a]

Except for our 2nd Amendment and an citizens armed for self defense, how much better off are we.

The Border Patrol Officer killed by one of the "Fast and Furios" weapons supplied to Mexican drug dealers - by the Obama Regime - had just fire a SANDBAG at the killer(s). That was (and I hear is still) the rules of engagement until live round 1st come from the other side.

It's like I said before on here, if and when shyte hits the fan here in the US [insert event that you please here] my badge is spinning on the booking room floor and I'm home protecting my family....by any means necessary, (I don't have any plastic bullets or bean bag rounds at home).

[Hawk1976]

Government is best defined as the toughest, best supported gang in a given geographical location. The government of England finds itself flummoxed and stimied about how exactly to stop thugs, vandals, and thieves despite the supposedly superior training, numbers and resources of the police.

The London police could effectively end the riots. They would need to get the cell phone companies to work with them to identify looter messaging traffic and black out certain areas where the looters are operating. They would need to use there air and surveillance assets (London is loaded with police cameras) to quickly track and corral individuals and groups.

Lastly, and most importantly, the police need to be utterly brutal with any looter that does not surrender peacably. Otherwise, the largest, best organized, best equipped, and best supported gang in an area doesn’t mean a thing.

[Colorado Cowgirl]

We have a little tea party in Boston harbor and they send in 4000 troops, and fired on us using .75 caliber “lead” bullets? How times have changed.