From: "Charles Parker", [EMAIL PROTECTED] Warning over use of firearms by STUART MULRANEY (Police Review 17 Nov 2000) HOME OFFICE Minister, Charles Clarke, has warned against the use of firearms by routine foot patrols. He told Police Review: 'There are ACPO guidelines on the use of firearms and these guidelines say arms are only to be used in targeted policing situations'. Mr Clarke's comments came in response to questions regarding the use of firearms by a specialist patrol in central Nottingham, as reported recently in Police Review. However, he said Nottinghamshire Constabulary's move was in accordance with the guidelines because the patrol was a special operation which involved 'the particular use of arms in particular circumstances'. Mr Clarke said the issue and use of firearms is an operational decision for chief officers working within the guidance issued by ACPO. But he added that ACPO guidelines cannot be made public because the information contained in them would be of use to armed criminals. Simon Hughes MP, the Liberal Democrat's chief spokesperson on home affairs, had earlier called on Mr Clarke to make a statement on the deployment of armed police officers on foot patrols and what assessments have been made by the Home Office into the effectiveness of armed patrols. In a written answer to Mr Hughes, Mr Clarke said ACPO guidance 'does not permit the use of armed officers on routine foot patrols' and that, as such, no assessment has been made of their effectiveness. Mr Clarke also made it clear in his written answer that firearms operations do not require the agreement of police authorities. Police Review reported on October 13 that specialist armed officers are now patrolling the streets of Nottingham as part of a bid to deal with a series of driveby shootings. Nottingham Constabulary said the operation, codenamed Real Estate, has reduced the number of shootings in the city. Prior to the operation, there were five shootings in two weeks, but in the nine months since the operation began, there have been just 10 such incidents, according to the force. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A http://www.topica.com/t/17 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
