MP Vincent Cable puts forward new plan for armed police

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Jan 2003

Vincent Cable, MP, is to meet the Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority very shortly to discuss the MP's proposals for overhauling the present system whenever there is an incident involving police use of firearms.

At present every incident involving a firing of weapons leads to prolonged suspension of officers even if no one is injured and even if the police acted entirely properly and in self defence.

Vincent Cable has put forward a much simpler, faster procedure for dealing with incidents and for getting police back quickly on duty unless there is prima facie evidence of malice or negligence.

Vincent Cable said: "with the spread of firearms amongst criminal gangs we have to recognise that the police are operating in a more dangerous environment."

"Clearly a balance has to be struck between protecting the public from irresponsible use of guns by the police and allowing the police to use their judgement as to how to behave in armed incidents."

"Even in Twickenham there have been a worrying number of incidents of armed police units being called out to deal with sightings of dangerous weapons - which can include air guns and knives."

"It is quite wrong in my view for highly trained and courageous officers to face prolonged suspension for investigation if they have done nothing wrong and perhaps saved lives."