Water cannons and plastic bullets

Riots and violent looting across the England shocked the society and the use of water cannons and baton rounds (plastic bullets) have been allowed by the government to the Police.

I don’t expect water cannons to be extensively useful or effective in combating thugs. First of all, over dozen water cannons serve in Northern Ireland and it is unlikely to see them on the streets of England tonight. Even if they appear the problem will be the same – they cannot be everywhere. Secondly, water cannons are effective in dispersing big crowds of protesters trying to confront the police but not against mobile groups of youths focused on personal gain and causing mayhem, attacking and looting not protected spots and quickly disappearing afterwards. Water cannons will have rather psychological effect and will help to convince the society that “something has been done” to tackle the problem.

Baton rounds (plastic bullets) will be more useful. By now, the deployed heavy armoured lines of police can easily withstand stones and other thrown at them missiles but usually is neither able to outrun and catch up with running thugs nor to engage them over distance.  Plastic bullets will change that adding to the comfort and safety police officers involved increasing area of their effectiveness during combat.

MG