Do police officers in the UK carry guns?

Question

Do police officers in the UK carry guns?

Answer 1

Some do yes.

Answer 2

not many of them do. the few officers that do have to announce they are an armed officer

Answer 3

Not normally but it is increasing and it would seem that as it becomes more common they are getting a bit trigger happy. I hope I am being unfair

Answer 4

As a general rule no, but you might see them at airports etc.

Answer 5

Not sure but I think there is wider deloyment of Non-Lethal weapons such as Tasar's to non Weapons officers.

Answer 6

Hi,

Contrary to previous answers there is one police force in the UK that is routinely armed. The Northern Ireland Police Service (formerly Royal Ulster Constabulary).

In addition there are several designated Armed Response Units (ARUs) and specially trained airport police that can belong to any of the police authorities in the UK

Hope this helps.

xx VP

Answer 7

more of them should...

Answer 8

In Northern Ireland all police officers are routinely armed, in mainland UK only Authorised Firearms Officers and Specialist Firearms Officers are armed

Answer 9

No they police by persuasion,  but do have special firearms teams for when guns are involved

Answer 10

Yes some do.

Answer 11

No, the basic police force does not carry.  Criminals in the UK are not (generally) as brazen as they are in the US.  Over the past decade or so, British Parliament has been batting about the idea of arming their police.  The issue is better policing versus bringing more guns to the island.

Answer 12

A lot do in London these days but the ones you see on the beat (in Uniform walking their route)do not.

Answer 13

No, only the special Police. It's a good thing actually.

Answer 14

SSSSSSSssssssssshhhhhh!!!

We aint telling nobody---just in case----

Answer 15

They can,t even carry themselves without looking like Oliver Hardy!!!

Answer 16

Plod on the street does not carry a firearm. Pepper spray and quick cuffs are standard issue with either Asp or side handle batons.

Armed response units carry side arms and HK's or similar. Most Forces have an armed response vehicle on the road for at least 8 hours a day.

Answer 17

Nope, just the armed response teams.

Answer 18

Most police officers do not carry guns.  However, there are armed response teams and I believe there are some officers on the beat that do carry guns.  A UK police website seems to suggest that about 25 percent carry firearms.

Answer 19

Noppe !

Only Battons and coshes

Answer 20

I think they're only armed when they're being prepared for an Operation. You know like a drugs-busting operation. The police officers I see carry batons and have hand-cuffs but no I don't think they actually do carry guns. However its not like we have a gun culture problem in the UK.

It probably depends on where the police officers are patrolling.