Water Cannons, Yes Or No, And Why?

[Castrol Craig]

In relation to the commons select comittee asking the home sec if water cannons were to be used, whats YOUR opinion on them, and why?

[EDLT]

We had a thread about this, it turned into an argument about Thatcher, iirc.

[emicen]

Yes.

- Not as damaging as rubber bullets
- Longer reach than night sticks so keep your guys out of harms way
- Can tt more of them at once than a night stick
- Half the typical crowd rioting could use a wash anyway
- Becoming cold and soaking wet quickly dampens the mood all joking aside

[Tsippy]

emicen said:

Yes.

- Not as damaging as rubber bullets
- Longer reach than night sticks so keep your guys out of harms way
- Can tt more of them at once than a night stick
- Half the typical crowd rioting could use a wash anyway
- Becoming cold and soaking wet quickly dampens the mood all joking aside

Pretty much this

Although I'd like them to add a blue dye so that we know who was protesting days after they're soaked

[ShadownINja]

Tsippy said:

emicen said:

Yes.

- Not as damaging as rubber bullets
- Longer reach than night sticks so keep your guys out of harms way
- Can tt more of them at once than a night stick
- Half the typical crowd rioting could use a wash anyway
- Becoming cold and soaking wet quickly dampens the mood all joking aside

Pretty much this

Although I'd like them to add a blue dye so that we know who was protesting days after they're soaked

Wot dey sed.

[F i F]

Problem with water cannons is that they rely on it being cold.

Hot summer and the rioters would probably be grateful.

Water cannons investigated at time of miner's strike, not used as they'd have been a liability.

More coppers, break the containments up into smaller groups. Make it so inconvenient and unpleasant that the misguided little tools never want to go on another demo ever again.

Identify the hard core trouble makers and a) if they are connected to the issue, then screw up their prospects, the Branch can do this easy peasy, or b) if they have no connection and are just there for the ruck shoot the bds.

Might be a bit of a strong solution at the end there, perhaps needs toning down somewhat.

[12gauge]

F i F said:

Problem with water cannons is that they rely on it being cold.

Hot summer and the rioters would probably be grateful.

So they would be fine for around 364 days of the year in the UK.

[bob1179]

I want the police to use them.

Wash the filthy little bds into the gutter and give them a good hiding.

[TEKNOPUG]

F i F said:

More coppers, break the containments up into smaller groups. Make it so inconvenient and unpleasant that the misguided little tools never want to go on another demo ever again.

That's why they kettle them - not so much about containment but more about making it a thoroughly unpleasant experience, without having to bring physical violence into the equation and reduce the likelyhood of people participating again.

[ewenm]

The issue one ACPO member raised (IIRC) was that it's often small numbers of hooligans amongst lots of peaceful protesters, so difficult to target the troublemakers with the water while still allowing the peaceful protesters their legal protest.

From a civil liberties viewpoint I'd be nervous about advocating the use of water cannons on peaceful protests. I'd like a more specific, targetted response.

[thinfourth2]

Nope

Every time the police use anything worse then slightly harsh words the press go nuts

So tell the cops to not even bother turning up, that is what the country wants if you read the press.

[emicen]

F i F said:

Problem with water cannons is that they rely on it being cold.

Hot summer and the rioters would probably be grateful.

11 bar in your face?

http://www.securityprousa.com/powacakitfor.html

"Grateful" isnt a word I'd use

[BOR]

Water Cannons ? Sure, why not. And why stop there? How about forcing the demonstrators and their famillies, hell, anyone who isn't a loyal member of the Tory Youth, to wear a red hammer and sickle badge, so that they can easily be identified ?

Step out of line, and it's onto the cattle trucks for you.

Or tanks ? Just crush them with tanks, Tiananmen Square style.

Or rubber bullet/live rounds ? It (almost) worked against the Irish.

[grumbledoak]

Citizen Smith said:

Water Cannons ? Sure, why not. And why stop there? How about forcing the demonstrators and their famillies, hell, anyone who isn't a loyal member of the Tory Youth, to wear a red hammer and sickle badge, so that they can easily be identified ?

Step out of line, and it's onto the cattle trucks for you.

Or tanks ? Just crush them with tanks, Tiananmen Square style.

Or rubber bullet/live rounds ? It (almost) worked against the Irish.

You really are quite laughable.

[Tsippy]

grumbledoak said:

Citizen Smith said:

Water Cannons ? Sure, why not. And why stop there? How about forcing the demonstrators and their famillies, hell, anyone who isn't a loyal member of the Tory Youth, to wear a red hammer and sickle badge, so that they can easily be identified ?

Step out of line, and it's onto the cattle trucks for you.

Or tanks ? Just crush them with tanks, Tiananmen Square style.

Or rubber bullet/live rounds ? It (almost) worked against the Irish.

You really are quite laughable.

Personally I like his ideas

[Galsia]

thinfourth2 said:

Nope

Every time the police use anything worse then slightly harsh words the press go nuts

So tell the cops to not even bother turning up, that is what the country wants if you read the press.

They did more than turn up when they shot that poor guy from Brazil seven times in the head...

[MX7]

F i F said:

Hot summer and the rioters would probably be grateful.

How about a warm October in Turkey?!

I've no problem with them. If people are being violent, smashing stuff up, or trying to burn it down, it seems like common sense to me. If the protesters knew the consequences if they misbehave, they would police their protests with far more vigilance.

grumbledoak said:

You really are quite laughable.

Agree.

Edited by MX7 on Tuesday 14th December 15:11

[alangla]

At this time of year a water canon will probably sort out all but the hard core troublemakers. For the rest, there are baton rounds.
Summer might be a different story though.

I'm surprised the Met haven't been more active in sending snatch squads in to nab the idiots in the masks & hard hats (or "my dad's in Pink Floyd" t-shirts) - remove them & the rest will probably march in peace.

[pilchardthecat]

I find the constant march towards authoritarianism very alarming. This country is full of what the Soviets used to call "useful idiots" and there are several on this thread. Divide and conquer.

Why is the nation arguing about the distribution of bits of paper, the value of which is infinitely variable? It's distraction.

"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes it's laws"
Mayer Amschel Bauer Rothschild

[Castrol Craig]

BOR said:

Water Cannons ? Sure, why not. And why stop there? How about forcing the demonstrators and their famillies, hell, anyone who isn't a loyal member of the Tory Youth, to wear a red hammer and sickle badge, so that they can easily be identified ?

Step out of line, and it's onto the cattle trucks for you.

Or tanks ? Just crush them with tanks, Tiananmen Square style.

Or rubber bullet/live rounds ? It (almost) worked against the Irish.

your posts are becoming that repetitive that you are becoming a bore.

will we be seeing you at the next major protest riot on the front row?