Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what current legal controls are in place to prevent police forces from deploying weapons that are not officially authorised for use by the Home Office.

The Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons 2003, made under section 39A of the Police Act 1996 determines the framework by which police forces use both conventional firearms and less lethal weapons. The Authorised Professional Practice on the Use of Force, Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons clearly states that “only less lethal weapons that have been approved by the Secretary of State may be used by the UK police service.” Water cannon is classed as a less lethal weapon and the Home Secretary’s decision not to authorise its use followed the established authorisation process.

The deployment of water cannon by police forces in England and Wales is therefore prohibited.