I think that we always prided ourselves by not having armed officers on the streets but seems like its going in "back door" and interestingly the officers themselves do not seem to want it either http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28656324
I was stopped for speeding near Bury St Edmunds, nearly 2 weeks ago, and didn't even notice that the policeman was wearing a side-arm. It was the wife who noticed. I wasn't going to argue anyway, but if I had, I think I'd have lost that one.
You'd be surprised how many police are actually armed. Northumbria police have dedicated firearms units who are on constant cover in the area. They may have to travel some distance to get to an incident,but its never more than 20minutes (unless they have to travel to Berwick!!). they are all based next to the tyne tunnel so they can pretty much get anywhere quickly.
I'm used to seeing them in airports, Kings Cross and Euston Station, and I get that, natural targets, but not on the A14 in a Bury St. Edmunds. It's a sad indictment on where our society is heading.
This is the reason why, we are England/Britain/United Kingdom but we are becoming a mini America in more ways than you think, sad to think really but I do hope these are only used in very extreme circumstances.
Armed coppers eh, whatever next. Don't see owt wrong with it...Mind probably cos i'm used to seeing them armed anyway.
All cops down here are armed, my sister is a cop and she loves carrying round the gat. But they get trained to use it as a last resort. They use spray and tazers first, and if all else fails a shot to the leg. As her brother, Id rather she carried it around. Seeing some of the meth head/PCP junkies around, i'd rather it was them than her. We have strict gun control here, but she's been doing the booze buses, and you should see some of the weapons they still find... And we're an island far away - i'd hate to imagine what it would be like in the UK where it is easier to smuggle guns in. If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear. Always follow their instructions, make no sudden moves into pockets/jackets and you'll be sweet.
With all the cuts the police are on the bones of their arses so I wouldnt be all that surprised. If it aids officer safety and makes the scumbags think twice then maybe its a good thing.
