Police: Riot Control Weapons
(asked on 24th February 2020) - View Source
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the use of water cannons by police to respond to outbreaks of public disorder.
Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 9th March 2020
There are no plans to introduce water cannon into UK policing. The Home Office works closely with the National Police Chiefs Council on police capability and the measures that can be used in response to public disorder.
All less lethal weapons use by police must be approved by the Home Secretary. A stringent authorisation process is set out in the UK’s Code of Practice on armed policing and police use of less lethal weapons.