Ex-cops blast Greens’ ‘insane’ idea to ban Tasers and pepper spray | Politics | News
Members of Zack Polanski’s party have recommended scrapping the kit (Image: Getty)
Furious former police officers have blasted “reckless” Green Party activists over a crazy plot to disarm beat cops and scrap vital anti-terror operations. A hard-left motion drawn up by Zack Polanski’s party demands police ditch life-saving Tasers and pepper spray, branding them “lethal tools.” Even worse, the woke working group wants ministers to strip cash from policing, prisons, and surveillanceโwhile scrapping Britain’s crucial Prevent anti-terror programme altogether.
Former cops today slammed the madness, warning the move gives violent thugs and extremists a “free pass to conduct a reign of terror” on British streets. Lucy Hutley, who served as a detective constable in Essex before a civilian drove into the back of her unmarked car in 2015, said even her 14-year-old considered the idea ridiculous. “It seems that eventually they want to do away with police and prisons altogether,” she fumed.
“Smart moveโฆ not! With the added proposal of removing Prevent it just seems they are giving criminals and terrorists a free pass to conduct a reign of terror in the UK! How do they want police officers to protect themselves if they canโt use the less lethal options of CS or Taser?”
Lucy Hutley was injured while on duty (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Stuart Henderson says cops could die if the proposal somehow came into effect (Image: Stuart Henderson)
The ex-cop added: “The only option would be to arm everyone and then it would be chaos as in the USA.
“At a time when it is clear that we need more police and counter terrorism measures, the Green Party want to reduce it all believing it would make a better Britain? Absolutely insane!”
Stuart Henderson, who served in the Metropolitan Police Service and in Hampshire for a combined 28 years, said he would like to ask the Green Party members how they would want to police the streets in todayโs climate without Tasers and pepper spray.
He added: “On the very, very, very rare occasion that someone has a reaction to CS – besides the obvious initial incapacitating ones – and the possibility of a Taser causing a heart failure… they make officers safe.
“If these were taken away you would end up with seriously injured officers or worse dead.
“Telling people please stop or saying they are a naughty boy or girl because you have a uniform on does not work.
“Those days have long gone. With fewer officers and single crewing of those officers help is an age away if you’re in the requesting end.
“Having been assaulted many times during my career… more were deterred by threatening with CS gas, which made them think, and in that fraction of a second, which is all you have sometimes, you can subdue and make the arrest without any harm to either party.
“Perhaps the Green Party [members] should go on a few shifts with the police then ask themselves is this a good idea.”
Retired superintendent with Derbyshire Police, Kul Mahar, said he is “deeply concerned”, adding: At a time that risk to officers is high, where the police service is still recovering from years are being underfunded in an increasingly complex and divided society, I would see this as presenting an incredibly reckless decision.
“The UK police service is one the very few left in the world that regularly operates without firearms but non lethal measures, such as Taser and CS spray are critical for the safety of the officers and public.”
The former gold commander and public order commander also mentioned recent deaths of PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38, in Cleveland, which “show the ever present risk that police officers face on a daily basis”.
The PCs died when a car driving the wrong way on the A66 near Middlesborough crashed into their vehicle.
A Volkswagen Passat that had been pursued by police hit the marked armed response vehicle seconds after the chase was terminated along the highway.
Kul Mahar says the recent deaths of police officers show how dangerous the job is (Image: Kul Mahar)
Kerry Snuggs served as an officer in Hampshire (Image: Kerry Snuggs)
Kerry Snuggs, who served four years as a special constable and 17 years as a regular officer in Hampshire, said: “They are out of touch with policing.
“They need to see what itโs actually like.”
She added the proposal “raises serious questions about the safety of those who put themselves in harmโs way every day to protect the public”.
“Police officers routinely attend violent and unpredictable situations where seconds can make the difference between someone being safely detained and an officer, member of the public or suspect suffering serious injury or death,” Ms Snuggs said.
“We should always demand that police use force lawfully, proportionately and responsibly. But taking away tactical options without providing a credible alternative risks leaving officers dangerously exposed.
“The question the public deserves answered is simple: if Taser and PAVA are removed, what exactly are officers expected to use when confronted with an immediate and serious threat?
“Prevention, community investment and tackling the causes of crime are important. But they cannot replace an officerโs ability to respond when violence is already happening.
“Our emergency services deserve protection, proper equipment and strong legal safeguards. We should be looking at how we can make policing saferโnot removing options that may protect an officer or save a life.
“Those who run towards danger to protect us deserve to know that their Government has their back.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said on X on Sunday: “In the Green Party, any member can propose a policy. Itโs in our constitution, and members decide whether to debate it.
“So when the media presents that as the Green Party ‘proposing’ a policy, theyโre misleading you.
“Worth asking why the billionaire press constantly attacks us.”