Londoners will have the opportunity to give their views to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson on the use of water cannon in the capital. The Mayor is asking Londoners their views on whether the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) should have water cannon available to use.
Water cannons would only be used by the Met in the response to riots or other serious and exceptional public order events in London. Currently only used by the police in Northern Ireland, since the summer riots of 2011, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has repeatedly cited that it would be a valuable tool for the police and has outlined the value of water cannon as a public order tool in a few, rare situations, and has asked the Mayor to fund the purchase.
Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: ‘Surveys have indicated strong support for the police to have every tool at their disposal to prevent riots. The professional view of police leaders is that water cannon would be a useful tactic to help protect people and property in response to extreme public disorder. The Mayor has given his support in principle, subject to proper rules for deployment, but our tradition of policing by consent means we do not want to go ahead until we have heard from Londoners.’
‘This engagement period will allow the police to discuss why they want water cannon, explain how and when it might be used and to address any concerns people may have. Once we have heard from Londoners we will consider the responses and share these with the Home Secretary who has to make the final decision.’
Mark Rowley, MPS Assistant Commissioner, said:
‘Our operational review of the Metropolitan Police response to the 2011 riots identified a future need for water cannon to be available for those few, rare situations where its absence would lead to either greater disorder or the use of more extreme force.”
‘The Commissioner and I both believe that water cannon in London would be rarely seen and rarely used, but that it should be available to help our officers protect people and property in the event of the most serious public disorder. We want to take the opportunity to explain more about how water cannon might be used and address any concerns Londoners may have. The final decision to acquire water cannons rests with elected politicians.’
The introduction of a new policing tool in London is a significant policy decision that should be informed by the views of the public and local elected representatives. The final decision rests with the Home Secretary, who must agree to licence water cannon for use in England.
Organised by the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC), the six-week engagement period will include a series of public and stakeholder meetings. Details of these including how to register to attend can be found on the MOPAC website: /priorities/policing-crime/mission-priorities/water-cannon
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Notes to editors
1. Official correspondence and briefing from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on water cannon are available at https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-crime/mission-priorities/water-cannon
2. The Commissioner of the MPS, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has asked the Mayor of London for authority to purchase three existing water cannon from the German Federal Police at a reduced cost of around £35,000 each so that they are available to his officers in advance of a longer-term, national solution being available.
3. The Police and Crime Committee of the London Assembly will question the MPS and MOPAC on water cannon at their meeting at City Hall on 30th January 2014 at 10am. .