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Home Secretary postpones decision on use of water cannon in London (12 March 2015)

Date: 12/03/2015
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Home Secretary postpones decision on use of water cannon in London

The controversial decision to allow the Metropolitan Police to deploy water cannon in the event of civil disorder has been put on hold by the Home Secretary until after the General Election in May.

London Mayor Boris Johnson spent £200,000 on three water cannon bought from Germany for use by police in the capital after the public disorder seen in August 2011 – when riots broke out across the capital following the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police in north London.

Home Secretary Theresa May was expected to announce this month whether the Met Police would be granted the authority to use them, but the decision has been postponed. Mrs May told BBC News there were issues around public health and safety with the use of water cannon on the streets of London.

After buying the water cannon, Boris Johnson said that it was “high likely” the Home Secretary would agree to their use on London’s streets for crowd dispersal in situations involving civil unrest and public disorder.

Mr Johnson said:

“My view is we need to get on and equip the police with the water cannon they need or might need.”

Under current laws, the Home Secretary has to approve their use, however.

To date, the only part of the UK where water cannon have been deployed is Northern Ireland.

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