AM I alone in finding it strange that many Brit-ish police officers are now armed while carrying out routine duties?

I always understood that our officers did not have a firearm unless they were either responding to a specific event or guarding a high-risk location such as an embassy or VIP. No longer is this the case.

Police officers who were members of an armed response unit used to have their firearms safely locked away in their car when on routine patrol. This meant they could get them quickly if needed and had the advantage that they did not have to be armed while carrying out routine duties.

Nowadays, it seems that it is standard practice in England for these officers to have their firearms on them at all times. This means they will be armed if they attend a car accident, lost kitten or other normal and non-life-threatening incidents.

Police Scotland used to have such a policy but, when it became public knowledge, significant concerns were raised and they changed to a policy of “Armed officers will in future only be deployed to firearms incidents, or where there is a threat to life”.

Bill Longmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, has confirmed: “Because of the nature of their role, and the potential need for them to respond urgently to a situation requiring a firearms response, they need to keep their firearms secure and accessible at all times they are on duty.

“That does mean they may respond to an ‘ordinary’ incident whilst carrying their firearm. This is established practice across forces in England and Wales. I am of the view that is a reasonable practice in the light of all the information.”

I do not believe it is reasonable and think that a police officer would have time to access their firearm from a vehicle-safe in every incident except where they come under direct attack. If this is considered likely then maybe all police officers should be armed.

Either way we should not just end up with armed officers on our streets without a full public debate.

ROBERT NOCK Canon Frome