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Boris buys water cannons preparing for the “summer of discontent”
London mayor Boris Johnson has decided to buy three water cannon for the Metropolitan police.
The purchase from the German federal police is the first by a force in Great Britain. Critics say the decision smacks of “arrogance”. It comes before Theresa May, the home secretary, has reached a decision on whether to sanction their use.
A document on the mayor’s policing and crime website states: “Following the mayoral consultation, approval is sought to purchase three water cannon with immediate effect.
“The timing of this decision is driven by the enhanced risk that the water cannon, currently available to be purchased secondhand, are sold to another European police authority. The saving represented by this purchase is so significant as to justify the risk caused by the delay in the licensing process.”
Approval was given for the purchase by the deputy mayor for policing. The cost will be £218,000 and the mayor justifies the speed of purchase by saying the water cannon are needed in case of disorder this summer in London.
The document says: “Purchasing at this time considerably improves the possibility that the Metropolitan police would have the tool to deploy in the summer, when, although there are no expectations of violence, such tools are most likely to be needed.
Source: http://rinf.com/alt-news/uk-news/boris-buys-water-cannons-preparing-summer-discontent/
