Petition A petition to create a para-military police unit along the lines of the French CRS

In light of current circumstances I ask that Parliament debate the creation of an armed para-military police unit under the control of the Home Office and equipped with water cannon and plastic baton rounds, as well as personal riot kit and firearms for issue as and when required.

In the first instance the Unit could be recruited from ex-service personnel facing redundancy, and largely equipped from kit built up to handle similar issues in Northern Ireland, and at first it should be at brigade strength and based in London and other major cities.

Over time it might grow to take over other responsibilities where the Police are routinely armed - air and sea-ports, some fire-arms duties and so on - allowing the Civilian Police to concentrate on the British tradition of "policing by consent".

I commend it to you.