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Somali piracy: Armed guards to protect UK ships Somali piracy: Armed guards to protect UK ships
(about 2 hours later)
Ships sailing under a British flag will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, the prime minister has announced.Ships sailing under a British flag will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, the prime minister has announced.
David Cameron says he wants to combat the risks to shipping off the coast of Somalia, where 49 of the world's 53 hijackings last year took place.David Cameron says he wants to combat the risks to shipping off the coast of Somalia, where 49 of the world's 53 hijackings last year took place.
No ship carrying armed security has yet been hijacked, the government claims.No ship carrying armed security has yet been hijacked, the government claims.
However, allowing ships to carry armed guards may fall foul of laws in other countries, such as South Africa. But allowing ships to carry armed guards may fall foul of laws in other countries, such as South Africa.
Many British-registered ships already illegally carry armed guards because companies feel they have no alternative. Up to 200 British flagged vessels regularly sail through waters close to Somalia, and officials estimate around 100 of those would immediately apply for permission to have armed guards.
It is thought many British-registered ships already carry armed guards, taking advantage of a grey area in the law.
Shoot to kill?Shoot to kill?
Mr Cameron revealed he wanted to make the practice legal after talks in Australia with Commonwealth leaders from the region over the escalating problem faced in waters off their shores. Mr Cameron said he wanted to legalise armed guards after talks in Australia with Commonwealth leaders from the region over the escalating problem faced in waters off their shores.
But armed guards would only be permitted while passing through dangerous waters, such as the Red Sea and Somalian coast.
Asked if he was comfortable with giving private security operatives the right to "shoot to kill" if necessary, Mr Cameron told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "We have to make choices.Asked if he was comfortable with giving private security operatives the right to "shoot to kill" if necessary, Mr Cameron told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "We have to make choices.
"Frankly, the extent of the hijack and ransom of ships round the Horn of Africa is a complete stain on our world."Frankly, the extent of the hijack and ransom of ships round the Horn of Africa is a complete stain on our world.
"The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are managing to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is a complete insult and the rest of the world needs to come together with much more vigour.""The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are managing to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is a complete insult and the rest of the world needs to come together with much more vigour."
France and Spain provide so-called military vessel protection detachments, while Italy is planning a similar measure. Transport Secretary Justine Greening said: "Piracy is a very serious problem and it's sensible to allow ships to take the appropriate measures to protect their crew and cargo. The use of armed security guards can have a significant impact.
However, in July, Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham said limited resources in the light of current military commitments could not allow Royal Marines to do the same. "The UK will allow the use of private armed security guards on our ships in exceptional circumstances and where it is lawful to do so."
Under the plans, the Home Secretary will be given the power to license vessels to carry armed security, including automatic weapons, currently prohibited under firearms laws. Under the plans the home secretary will be given the power to license armed guards for ships, who would be permitted to carry automatic weapons and possibly handguns, currently prohibited under UK firearms laws.
Targeting assetsTargeting assets
Officials said up to 200 could take up the offer, which would only apply for voyages through particular waters in the affected region. France and Spain provide so-called military vessel protection detachments, while Italy is planning a similar measure.
In July the Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham said limited military resources meant it was not possible to free up Royal Marines for a ship protection role.
Other counter-piracy measures being taken include offering support from Treasury officials to Kenya to help its officials track down pirates' assets.Other counter-piracy measures being taken include offering support from Treasury officials to Kenya to help its officials track down pirates' assets.
Mr Cameron also said help could be given to countries such as The Seychelles and Mauritius who were acting to bring pirates to court and imprison them.Mr Cameron also said help could be given to countries such as The Seychelles and Mauritius who were acting to bring pirates to court and imprison them.
The prime minister's full interview will be broadcast on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday 30 October 2011 at 09:00 on BBC Two, and then afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.The prime minister's full interview will be broadcast on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday 30 October 2011 at 09:00 on BBC Two, and then afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.