Police use of firearms stats reflect professionalism of armed officers

DCC Chesterman said:

"The  Home Office statistics on armed policing continue to reflect the professionalism and restraint of our armed police officers.

"The number of firearms operations continues to reduce demonstrating the high levels of scrutiny applied by commanders when authorising firearms deployments.  Of note is the fact that, despite being deployed on 14,800 firearms operations, police only discharged firearms twice in the financial year 2013-14.  

"I am confident that our highly skilled, highly trained and highly accountable firearms officers are carrying out their duties with professionalism and restraint.  On a daily basis they put themselves in harms way to protect the public.

"The threat from terrorism remains severe and this coupled with the threats associated with serious and organised crime and violent individuals means that we will continue to rely on armed police to step forward and protect us.  I am proud of our armed policing capability and the police service works tirelessly to constantly improve our training and tactics.”

ENDS