London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Mayor’s obsession with changing the culture of British policing beggars belief” – Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and deputy chair of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, commenting on the decision by the Mayor of London to proceed with purchasing water cannon said:

"There is no evidence at all to defend the provision of water cannon in London. After three evidence hearings at City Hall the case against the use of water cannon was compelling.

"London Assembly Members, across the political parties have expressed their total opposition to one of the worst aspects of European policing being adopted in London. The Mayor's refusal to listen or even engage with evidence presented to him is shameful. The Mayor's own admission that he had failed to even read an evidence based report on the issue sums up exactly why he is basing a decision on myth not fact.

"The adoption of water cannon, far from controlling public disorder problems, might actually provoke and heighten protests. We also know that water cannon runs the risk of innocent people being harmed for simply taking part in a protest.

"The Mayor's obsession with changing the culture of British policing beggars belief."

"The Mayor looks set to destroy our proud tradition of policing by consent for good."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Details of decision by the Mayor of London to purchase three second German water cannons can be seen here:

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/DMPCD%202014%206%20Purchase%20of%20Water%20Cannon%20_0.pdf

2. Opposition to the adoption of water cannon by the London Assembly (across political parties) can be seen here:

https://www.london.gov.uk/media/assembly-press-releases/2014/02/assembly-tells-mayor-not-to-pour-money-down-the-drain-on-water

https://www.london.gov.uk/media/assembly-press-releases/2014/02/assembly-says-no-to-case-for-water-cannon

https://www.london.gov.uk/media/assembly-member-press-releases/lib-dem-party/news-from-caroline-pidgeon-mayor-is-insulting-both-the-london

3. Reports on the Mayor not even reading the investigation report into the use of water cannon by the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee can be seen here:

http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2014-03-19/boris-johnson-not-read-report-into-use-of-water-cannon/