Most British police officers (except in Northern Ireland) are not routinely armed. Instead, they rely on specially trained Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) to attend incidents where firearms are necessary. Specialist Firearms Officers are usually trained to a higher standard than AFOs, because they are likely to be required to enter besieged premises. The vast majority of firearms used by British police are semi-automatic. The most common firearms employed by British armed units are the Glock 17 9mm pistol, the Heckler and Koch (H&K) MP5SF 9mm (single fire) carbine and the H&K G36C (single fire) 5.56mm carbine. Walther P99 - carried by Nottinghamshire Police AFOs.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
Parish
Response rates from 640k UK voters.
45% Yes |
55% No |
30% Yes |
48% No |
9% Yes, but only in response to extreme situations |
6% No, extreme situations should be handled by higher agencies with specialized training and equipment |
7% Yes, but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment |
0% No, and abolish the police |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 640k UK voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 640k UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@8PMY8CM4yrs4Y
No, policing in the UK is based on the principal of ''policing by consent'' and is highly respected around the world for this as well as being an unarmed police force.
@8SL5S2J4yrs4Y
Only in extreme circumstances where people are in need of being protected. I would argue that a lot of military grade equipment and police brutality is abused in this country, and targets a lot of people who often are completely peaceful. It’s abused.
@9ZH2VY33mos3MO
Multiple agencies are needed, and TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AND RESPONDERS are needed. Police should not be the go-to for everything. ALSO OVERHAUL AND RE-TRAIN POLICE, because currently they are dangerous, not helpful.
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Yk what? Defund the police. START NEW ORGANISATIONS WITH THE MONEY.
@9ZG2LQT3mos3MO
Only to be used by highly trained Officers in extreme Situations where the military can not be present
@9V9ZCC45mos5MO
Only if it is the last corse of action because of the harm it can cause others not just the offender. Should be a last resort
@9TZQX285mos5MO
I want the police department to use military grade equipment, only when they know how to use it effectively, and have strict training. And only when the situation calls it.
@9RX3V377mos7MO
Yes, but make it only for national emergencies ( eg the 2024 Southport riots ) and make mandatory military equipment training programs for officers.
@9R6ZB587mos7MO
Yes but only one armed unit per county which would only be deployed in one of these circumstances, the offender or suspect is armed 2. Mass disorder in public which is to large be dismantled by normal Police or a hostage situation where the suspect poses a threat to life.
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