Chief refuses to rule out water cannons (UK/G8)

[struggle4progress]

Feb 18 2005







By Andy Newport

TAYSIDE POLICE'S Chief Constable has denied that the force have purchased a water cannon to be used at the G8 Summit – but didn't rule out the possibility.

Using vehicle-mounted water sprays is just one option being considered by John Vine and his officers as they prepare Scotland's biggest-ever security operation ahead of the Gleneagles meeting of world leaders.

It is understood that Belgian authorities have been approached with a mind to supplying up to four of the jet pumps for the July 6-8 summit, which will see British premier Tony Blair accompany US President George Bush, French President Jacques Chirac, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Russian President Vladimir Putin to Strathearn.

However, Mr Vine insisted that “no firm decisions have been made” as to the final measures that will be used to protect Gleneagles and Auchterarder from disruption caused by anti-globalisation protestors. <snip>

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