Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the statement made today by New York police commissioner Bill Bratton that the use of water cannon had become an “anathema” in the US, said:
“Bill Bratton’s intervention on this issue is both timely and helpful. However I fear he will join a long list of people that the Mayor has decided to ignore on this issue, including of course the London Assembly.
“Water cannon runs the risk of innocent people being injured 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 has already insulted the London Assembly and Londoners by his ill informed decision to support the introduction of water cannon for policing in London.
“How many more people will the Mayor ignore on this issue?”
Photo: Caroline joins 38 Degrees campaigners in presenting a mass petition urging the Home Secretary to not licence the use of water cannon