10 signatures reached
To: Theresa May Home secretary
Please deny authority to use water cannon in the UK
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London has bought 3 water canon for the use of London police services. The use of water canon has not been authorised in the UK other than Ireland and I for one would like it to stay that way. With the ever widening gulf between politicians and public, this would further emphasise that this is a 'Us and Them' decision.
Why is this important?
The attitude of the public towards the police in London has taken quite a battering over the last few years and the level of trust is pretty low, along with that of Politicians. Considering the discontent against policies the government has implemented, the ever increasing appearance that London is becoming exclusive to the elite and Very Wealthy, to authorise use of water cannon will further dissolve trust and solidify the opinion that the government is seeking to protect its interests and that of wealthy backers. There would be no trust that these would only be used in major incidents and a belief these would be deployed in peaceful protests to deny people their voice. Previous uses around the world have shown this to be the case.
If this authority is granted, it will set a dangerous precedent that other police forces will be able to deploy this too. Politicians and police need to build trust within their community, not further increase the divide that is currently very apparent.
How it will be delivered
Via email to the Home Secretary
