Counter-terror officers are set to get an extra £11.2
million worth of guns and equipment to better protect Londoners in the event of
Brussels-style attacks.
In documents seen by the Standard, Scotland Yard seeks
authorisation to spend the money “as soon as possible” to “increase current
capability” in order to deal with threats “effectively”.
The force will use a Single Tender Action process, used to
speed up purchases, “in the face of heightened threat levels”.
The investment will “increase the capability” of current
armed response teams as well as the 600 extra firearms officers announced by
Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe in January.
London MP for Enfield Southgate, David Burrowes, who also
sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the new equipment is vital due
to a “clear and present” threat to launch attacks on the streets of London.
The order for new weaponry is being rushed through under
special rules
He said: “The attacks in Paris and Brussels could happen on
the streets of London and we need to make sure that our police officers on the
frontline have all the necessary support and equipment they need to tackle this
threat.
The threat is clear and present and the fundamental duty of
Government is to protect its citizens.”
A list of the equipment, to be given to specialist
counter-terror officers and armed response vehicle units as armed officers rise
from 2,200 to 2,800, is not revealed for security reasons.
But Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police
Federation, said: “There’s large amounts of weapons required, there’s a lot of
tactical equipment needed based on that as well.
“Not only hand weapons are needed, but obviously automatic
deployment. It’s paramount that we get the equipment.
How the Met's armed police are kitted out
We are at a heightened state, we are ready and capable as
we speak, but there’s other equipment available that has been recognized as
being needed and we’ll hopefully get that as soon a possible.”
Sir Bernard announced London would get an extra 600 armed
officers in January at a cost of £25 million after Home Secretary Theresa May
made an extra £34 million available to police forces to increase firearms
capabilities.
The request to spend £11.2 million on extra firearms and
equipment is contained in documents submitted to the Mayor’s Office for
Policing and Crime, which has to sign off purchases of a large value.
It was not made in direct response to the Brussels attack,
but was signed off last week “in light of recent global events and especially
those in Paris and other major European cities”.
A Met spokesman said: “This Single Tender Action is part of
plans to deliver this increase [in armed officers].
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