Plastic bullets are NEVER a solution

Statement from RFJ Chairperson Clara Reilly:

The debate following the serious disorder in London and other cities in England this week has including a debate of possible weaponry could be employed by police. The calls for the deployment of water cannon and plastic bullets have been loud and heated.

Muted tempering of these calls have been made. These have ranged from “because we have a different attitude to the culture of policing here” by Home Secretary Theresa May, to statements of plastic bullets are “controversial” in the North of Ireland.

Last night Prime Minister David Cameron said the police would have “whatever they need”, implying that they might use plastic bullets. Although none were used.

Indeed even yesterday’s Guardian gave an unclear reference to the use of plastic bullets in “the Province” saying “around 20 people have been killed”.

Here are the facts:

• 17 people were killed
• 9 of those killed were children
• NONE of those killed was involved in rioting

The police and British Army’s own rules governing the use of plastic bullets were broken in every instance

MILLIONS of pounds in compensation have been paid by the state to those who suffered long term life diminishing injuries as a result of the use of plastic bullets

No member of the British Army, RUC or PSNI has ever been convicted for any of the above harms.

Theresa May is correct there is a different attitude to the culture of policing in England. This summer has proven that. As plastic bullets were used as a weapon of first resort in East and North Belfast, Ballyclare and Portadown against both Protestants and Catholics by the PSNI they were not on the policing agenda in London, Liverpool or Manchester.

Nor should they be – plastic bullets did nothing whatsoever to address the rioting in Ireland. They did not save lives or property. They made finding long term solutions more difficult in those communities and undermined the position of the PSNI, its Chief Constable and their stated commitments to human rights policing.

Plastic bullets are never a solution.

ENDS