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Just a thought and I wondered if any members might be able to shed any light - is anyone aware of an Enforcer ever actually being used in action to shoot a crim at all since it was introduced?
I've never come across an instance - also when did it go out of service and do the plod now have a sniping capability? After all at that siege in London with the shotgun wielding solicitor recently ended with a hail of ill-aimed bullets seemingly from their mp5 carbines.
Someone will probably post that photo of an Enforcer on the perimeter of the Iranian Embassy siege, but of course no Police were involved once command had been handed to the Army.
There is no documented or anecdotal evidence I am aware of which lists use of Enforcers or other specific types of rifles by the Police. Most modern (post-1980s) incidents appear to have involved MP5s or pistols. Its probably linked to the way Police have to issue authority to use certain types of weapon: I imagine that the sort of long-range stand-off that might require a rifle is extremely rare, and that even then any shooting is done at very close range - UK is a tiny crowded country, and most Police situations occur in dense urban areas. Apart from shooting the odd escaped animal, I'd be surprised if the UK Police have ever used a rifle calibre in action....
They took out a rampant bull in Exeter. We (the Army) don't accept the notion of Police 'snipers'. Good shots, yes - but snipers, NO. Snipers were trained at Hythe, Warminster and Brecon. What ranges would their battlefields extend to is the pertinant question?
Well I know the current lot are more adept at shooting each other than criminals, but do they have any sniping (or good shooting) equipment at the moment bar a lucky shot with an mp5?
It understood that Plod who look after Stanstead Airport have 50cal rifles. The intended scenario is to shoot out aircraft tyres. Stanstead is the UK destination for hijacked aircraft. The mind boggles at the prospect...................
It's my understanding that they were deployed at the Balcombe Street siege.
A 50 for knocking out aircraft tyres.......... It's mind boggling. One who came to Warminster suggested that the UGL (rifle underslung grenade launcher) would be a useful tool '....for putting doors in'. Putting doors in...., it'd knock the xxxxing house down!
I know of some who use the Remmy 700, PSS of course. There are apparently some .338AI's for the tyre bursting trick at Manchester, the theory being the operation could be carried out from the Airport perimeter. Hmmm, let's just think about the safety template for the .338 for a minute:eek:
I was once told by a Police officer from my club they call their 'Snipers'
rifle officers
i believe the course is only 3 weeks and he did his at Hythe (Kent).
Main skills are shots at a maximum of 300yds and from different angles and heights, urban and rural.
The Animal guns are different from the 'bad boys' guns mainly large calibre expanding ammunition (hunting rifles)
Most police use H&K G36 & Mp5 with H&K 416 capability
AI's and Sig's and some PSG9's Sako's RPA's ... and on and on.
I am reminded of the "siege at Sidney street" where the police were "well armed" with .22 single shot rifles.
A far cry from the "Bow Street Runners" who had a pistol, short sword, and truncheon.