[Winniesboy]

The British police developed in a very different environment than US policing. They take it as an article of faith (and historically it has worked) that most policing does not require firearms

True, and it's impossible to overestimate the weight of history behind this. The culture is very deep-rooted in the Police, and anonymous polling of rank-and-file officers always shows a large majority against routine arming. That majority gets steadily smaller, however...

And don't forget how very few British police die as a result of violent crime - still only 26 since the year 2000.

[Oatka]

And don't forget how very few British police die as a result of violent crime - still only 26 since the year 2000.

That will change in the coming months.