A landmark review from the Metropolitan Police has issued a stark warning: London's officers are increasingly vulnerable to violent knife attacks and require greater access to firearms for protection.
The internal report, commissioned by Scotland Yard, reveals that unarmed frontline officers often feel like "sitting ducks" when responding to incidents involving bladed weapons. This comes amid a worrying surge in knife crime across the capital.
A Necessary Shift in Police Defence
The findings advocate for a fundamental shift in the Met's approach to officer safety. Traditionally, British policing has relied on a largely unarmed presence, but the review argues this model is no longer sustainable given the current threat level.
It recommends equipping more response officers with firearms, not to create a fully armed force, but to ensure that armed backup is readily available across all boroughs, drastically reducing critical response times during violent incidents.
Public and Officer Safety at the Forefront
The core argument centres on the safety of both the public and the police. The report suggests that the inability to immediately neutralise a knife-wielding attacker puts everyone at the scene at grave risk. Armed officers, it concludes, are essential to de-escalate situations and prevent fatalities.
This move is framed not as an escalation of force, but as a necessary measure to ensure that those who protect the public are not left defenceless against armed aggression.
Addressing the Knife Crime Epidemic
The call for more armed officers is directly linked to London's ongoing battle with knife crime. With stabbings and machete attacks making regular headlines, the report positions this as a pragmatic response to a worsening crisis, emphasising that the current system is leaving officers dangerously exposed.
The review is now expected to fuel a major debate within the Met and the Home Office about the future of armed policing in the United Kingdom.
