Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s statement today that he will be seeking a formal request to the Home Secretary to arm the Metropolitan Police Service with water cannon, said:
“This is a foolish and misguided decision by the Mayor of London.
“The fact that the Mayor admits that he has not even bothered to read the investigation report by the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee is shameful. The Mayor is also kidding himself if he really thinks that once water cannon has been adopted it will not be put to use by the Met police.
“Water cannon runs the risk of injury of innocent people and it will certainly undermine policing by public consent. Yet at the same time it is an ineffective tool to manage serious public disorder situations.
“Having heard detailed evidence on this issue there are very good reasons why the majority of members of the Police and Crime Committee have firmly rejected its adoption in London.
“The Mayor is insulting both the London Assembly and Londoners by his ill-informed decision to support the introduction of water cannon for policing in London.”
Read more on this at MayorWatch.
Also, read Caroline's response to the Mayor's public consultation.