Hello! I went to London in june 2004. I didn´t need to ask the police if they could help me find a place I was looking for. They came to me and asked me if I needed any help... I haven´t met more polite policemen. But, I wonder if british police on the beat have side arms? Is it up to yourself if you want to carry a weapon? Have there been changes after the bombing in 2005? I couldn´t see any patrolling policemen carrying any weapon. They had a lot of other equipment, but what was it? /Mimung
British police, what equipment?
- Thread starter Mimung
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Eric_Methven
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Police in the UK have to be specially trained to use firearms. There are specialist sections known as ARU's (Armed Response Units) in every constabulary though, and many ARU units are based in fast pursuit cars.
As for kit, most wear stab vests and have a belt kit. Handcuffs, radio, baton (or modern equivalent), Some may carry some kind of spray deterrent I think. I'm not sure what else. These are just my observations. If anyone can expand, or correct me on any of this, please do.
Eric
As for kit, most wear stab vests and have a belt kit. Handcuffs, radio, baton (or modern equivalent), Some may carry some kind of spray deterrent I think. I'm not sure what else. These are just my observations. If anyone can expand, or correct me on any of this, please do.
Eric
On their "Bat-belt", they carry loads of stuff. I believe there is a certain amount of freedom in personalising the belt to carry what you wish, but I also think that they have a small possibles pouch. It is used to carry notebooks and I seem to recall being told some sort of reference book with regards to law. This may not be correct so I would like to know for sure. There will also be some carrying big maglites in those loop thingys, cuffs, extendable batons, radio and pepper spray if the force operates that sort of thing.
Our bobbys on the beat don't carry guns but our armed response units do.
I like it that way and can't see police being armed making the any difference at all to suicide bombers anyway, after all it doesn't stop them in Israel and Iraq does it?
Bit like the government putting tanks near the airports a few years ago, like that was going to stop a bloke with a rucksack
Theres a load of fuss/media paranoa about suicide bombers but the chances of the average person being hurt by something like that is so vanishingly small that it doesn't make the slightest difference to my dailly life.
Well plus the last lot made such a **** poor job of it that they were a complete joke
Anyway, glad our coppers were so helpfull to you and hope you enjoyed your stay over here.
Is it wise in the current climate to start giving away too many details? No offence intended Mimung.
Scoops
Scoops
I don't see why not. There is nothing in a policemans Bat belt that could stop an airplane flying into a building.
In mainland UK Police carry a baton either an ASP frictionlock or an autolock some have the side handle extendable baton. They carry handcuffs of course either folding or unfolding ridged handcuffs mostly made by HIATT. They also carry CS incapacitant spray its 5% of chlorobenzylidine malononitrile suspended in a solution of MIBK methel iso butyl ketone. They also carry a radio on a secure digital net and a pouch containing Police documents. Some carry knives but as far as i know they are not issued so are carried at the officers own risk. The Police in Northern Ireland carry the same add to this a glock 17 slp and 50 rds of 9mm and in some cases an H&K MP5 or H&K 33rifle.
Well some carry the CS spray still, some forces have now gone over to a synthetic pepper spray.
The armed units can carry from a range of available weapons depending on local force policy. Some include Taser in that, then there are baton rounds, specialist shotgun rounds for forcing entry, and a whole gamut of hand guns and upwards including sniper gear.
I (lets be honest here) carry pepper spray, extendible baton (asp) and cuffs, small torch and too much paperwork. I haven't had to use my cuffs in months and have never, in ten years, had to use my spray or baton.
Are Police overseas not so polite then ?
The armed units can carry from a range of available weapons depending on local force policy. Some include Taser in that, then there are baton rounds, specialist shotgun rounds for forcing entry, and a whole gamut of hand guns and upwards including sniper gear.
I (lets be honest here) carry pepper spray, extendible baton (asp) and cuffs, small torch and too much paperwork. I haven't had to use my cuffs in months and have never, in ten years, had to use my spray or baton.
Are Police overseas not so polite then ?
Are you carrying PAVA spray instead of CS? We would use cuffs baton and cs daily over here.
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Theres a load of fuss/media paranoa about suicide bombers but the chances of the average person being hurt by something like that is so vanishingly small that it doesn't make the slightest difference to my dailly life.
Well plus the last lot made such a **** poor job of it that they were a complete joke
Anyway, glad our coppers were so helpfull to you and hope you enjoyed your stay over here.
The mother in law who has lived in london all her life came up with a great comment " They're not very good terrorists if they cant even blow themselves up, I've made more smoke than that cooking sunday tea"
Had me in stitches, she was born 9 weeks premature during the blitz, and has christmas shopped around IRA campaigns. I wish the media had more 'We Are Not Afraid' about them, it is much more helpful attitude to laugh at the nutters.
Couldn't agree more. All this "we need stronger anti terror laws" is ridiculous. If we aren't careful, those laws have far more impact on the day to day lives of the average person than the terrorists. Eternal vigilance certainly but over reacting to these people accords them a status that they do not deserve
Red
Red
I agree. We put up with terrorists for years when the IRA was doing its thing. It seems that nobody, least of all America, gave a damn. It seems that now that they have become a victim of terrorism in a big way then we should all become frightened. In this way, the terrorists have already won.
We need more than just stronger anti terror laws laws only work when the people breaking them are suitably punished we have a weak government with out of touch with reality and a court system set in the iron age we are importing terrorists and clothing feeding and arming them and tying the hands of our own Police. Have you ever noticed how when a terrorist incident happens that the government immediatley blames Police or intelligence services not the terrorists or their own policies, they distance themselves from their own departments to try and pass the blame onto someone else. The UK is in big trouble and its own government has brought it about!!
I work new New Scotland Yard and there's a lot of armed police on patrol at the mo.
As well as the usual ASP, CS and cuffs etc they also carry a H+K G36 and a Taser M26
As well as the usual ASP, CS and cuffs etc they also carry a H+K G36 and a Taser M26
I agree with the "blitz spirit". I'm back in the UK and working with non British people. I keep telling them that people trying to blow up bits of Briatin is almost a tradition and we've hardly had a break in 40 years.
If you stop doing anything then the terrorists start winning.
If you stop doing anything then the terrorists start winning.
Well plus the last lot made such a **** poor job of it that they were a complete joke
Thats because it was an M15 setup to assist GB to get his upcoming terror bills passed.
I don't know as I'd like to look suspicious around Glasgow airport baggage handlers though
Cheers,
Toddy
Cheers,
Toddy
My belt kit consists of from Right to Left:
Key Hook, CS Spray, Glock 17, ASP, Rigid Cuffs, Leatherman Wave, Small Pouch containing Steri Wipes, Two Pairs thin Rubber Gloves (for the dirtier jobs!), Radio Pouch, Surefire 6P Tactical illuminator (Torch), MP5 Mag Pouch, Double Glock Mag Pouch, Plus X26 Taser in Leg Holster. That`s just my Belt Kit!
I also wear heavy ballistic body armour, and have a MP5 Carbine hanging on a sling around my neck (No wonder we get bad backs and knee joints).
The stupid thing is that we are still required to wear ties as they are traditional!
Steve
Key Hook, CS Spray, Glock 17, ASP, Rigid Cuffs, Leatherman Wave, Small Pouch containing Steri Wipes, Two Pairs thin Rubber Gloves (for the dirtier jobs!), Radio Pouch, Surefire 6P Tactical illuminator (Torch), MP5 Mag Pouch, Double Glock Mag Pouch, Plus X26 Taser in Leg Holster. That`s just my Belt Kit!
I also wear heavy ballistic body armour, and have a MP5 Carbine hanging on a sling around my neck (No wonder we get bad backs and knee joints).
The stupid thing is that we are still required to wear ties as they are traditional!
Steve
Yeah, but I'm still scared of giants.
In actual fact, it's far easier to write a sensationalist article then to research the facts.
Due to past experience, I detest the media and am very much against embedded journalists and increased access. Many would argue that it's a niaive opinion but they make my blood boil. Sorry to any journos out there - nothing personal.
Anyway, back to the subject: I spent 3 years working in Central London and saw armed police every day. I wish they didn't have to carry deterrent weapons but I don't really mind that much.
