This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/6188428.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Water cannons for riots 'viable' Water cannon for riots 'viable'
(about 3 hours later)
Water cannons should be considered as a tactic to control violent protests, according to a police watchdog report. Water cannon should be considered as a tactic to control violent protests, according to a police watchdog report.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report looked into the policing of a pro-hunting protest which turned violent in September 2004.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report looked into the policing of a pro-hunting protest which turned violent in September 2004.
It said the jets would be a "viable option to distance the crowd" to avoid direct confrontation with riot police.It said the jets would be a "viable option to distance the crowd" to avoid direct confrontation with riot police.
Water cannons have never been used by the Metropolitan Police, which said it still needed to be persuaded. Water cannon have never been used by the Metropolitan Police, which said it still needed to be persuaded.
Missiles and barriersMissiles and barriers
Around 1,300 officers faced at least 20,000 demonstrators in Parliament Square in the riot, and there were violent exchanges when some protesters tried to break through a police cordon.Around 1,300 officers faced at least 20,000 demonstrators in Parliament Square in the riot, and there were violent exchanges when some protesters tried to break through a police cordon.
Missiles were thrown at police and barriers pulled down, while officers retaliated with batons.Missiles were thrown at police and barriers pulled down, while officers retaliated with batons.
Several demonstrators suffered serious head wounds, and one ended up with 12 stitches to the head.Several demonstrators suffered serious head wounds, and one ended up with 12 stitches to the head.
The IPCC said it had investigated dozens of complaints of alleged police heavy-handedness.The IPCC said it had investigated dozens of complaints of alleged police heavy-handedness.
The Metropolitan Police claimed more than 60 of its officers were injured during the violence.The Metropolitan Police claimed more than 60 of its officers were injured during the violence.
Everyone agrees that something went very badly wrong with the policing of that demonstration Countryside AllianceEveryone agrees that something went very badly wrong with the policing of that demonstration Countryside Alliance
Criminal charges were brought against seven officers following an IPCC probe but all were either found not guilty or had their cases dropped.Criminal charges were brought against seven officers following an IPCC probe but all were either found not guilty or had their cases dropped.
IPCC report, published following the conclusion of all the criminal cases, said there were "lessons to be learned" by all those involved. The IPCC report, published following the conclusion of all the criminal cases, said there were "lessons to be learned" by all those involved.
It said other tactical options, other than sheer physical force, should be considered urgently.It said other tactical options, other than sheer physical force, should be considered urgently.
'Strategic failures''Strategic failures'
The report said police should consider crowd "dynamics" when planning for a protest, to ensure escape routes were provided.The report said police should consider crowd "dynamics" when planning for a protest, to ensure escape routes were provided.
It recommended that batons which had caused injury during crowd control should be identified and stored as evidence.It recommended that batons which had caused injury during crowd control should be identified and stored as evidence.
The Countryside Alliance was critical of the report saying it failed to address "the strategic failures of that day".The Countryside Alliance was critical of the report saying it failed to address "the strategic failures of that day".
"Everyone agrees that something went very badly wrong with the policing of that demonstration," said a spokesman."Everyone agrees that something went very badly wrong with the policing of that demonstration," said a spokesman.
No decision has been made regarding the introduction of water cannons, said a Metropolitan Police spokesman. No decision has been made regarding the introduction of water cannon, said a Metropolitan Police spokesman.
"The commissioner personally believes that that he would 'need to be very strongly persuaded' before going down this route as it would mark a significant departure from the way we have traditionally policed public disorder situations," she said."The commissioner personally believes that that he would 'need to be very strongly persuaded' before going down this route as it would mark a significant departure from the way we have traditionally policed public disorder situations," she said.