Police chiefs will consider the possibility of offering every frontline police officer in England and Wales a gun to counter the threat of a marauding terrorist attack, the Guardian has learned.
A discussion paper on the subject has been drawn up for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which wants to look at how to boost armed police numbers to deal with a crisis, following the experience of the Manchester and London Bridge attacks.
The paper, drawn up by Simon Chesterman, the national lead on firearms police, is intended to start a debate on the issue among police leaders – although it is thought at this stage unlikely a wider arming will be agreed upon. But it may also mark the start of a shift in thinking on the topic, which could speed up in the event of any future attacks.
A discussion paper on the subject has been drawn up for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which wants to look at how to boost armed police numbers to deal with a crisis, following the experience of the Manchester and London Bridge attacks.
The paper, drawn up by Simon Chesterman, the national lead on firearms police, is intended to start a debate on the issue among police leaders – although it is thought at this stage unlikely a wider arming will be agreed upon. But it may also mark the start of a shift in thinking on the topic, which could speed up in the event of any future attacks.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...tline-officers
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