Chief Constable calls for end of use of plastic bullets

PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has said that he no longer wants his officers to use plastic bullets.

Sir Hugh also acknowledged that some of the people who were killed by plastic bullets throughout the 'troubles', were innocent.

Throughout the 30-years of conflict in Northern Ireland, a total of 17 people died – nine of whom were children, and many more were injured as a result of the use of baton rounds.

During an in-depth interview, Sir Hugh stopped short of calling for an all-out ban on plastic bullets, which has had campaigners calling for more action to be taken.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has welcomed the comments, which have come ahead of a special ard fheis, during which the party will make a decision on whether or not to change their policy on policing, however they have said that the Chief Constable should have banned the use of baton rounds altogether.

Commenting on the Chief Constable's statement, Sinn Féin Assembly member Mitchel McLaughlin said: "Sinn Féin has recently held a number of meetings with PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde specifically on the issue of plastic bullets.

“We welcome the commitment not to use these weapons in crowd control or public order situations. Hugh Orde's acknowledgement of the hurt resulting from injuries and deaths of innocent people, including children, is also welcome. These weapons should never be used again."

(EF)