Guernsey Press

Police use armed response vehicles on routine patrols

ARMED response vehicles are now being used for standard patrols, Guernsey Police has confirmed, but it is unclear whether the firearms have been removed.

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ARMED response vehicles are now being used for standard patrols, Guernsey Police has confirmed, but it is unclear whether the firearms have been removed.

The two BMWs are specially fitted to carry weapons and proved controversial when they were bought in 2011 to help deal with dangerous situations.

Last year, they were used in responses to 26 calls – an average of about two a month. But chief firearms instructor Inspector J-P Le Breton said the public could now be seeing a lot more of them.

'It was felt if they were used more often in routine patrols, it would reduce the fear for the public,' he said. 'By being seen out and about it should ease people's minds.'

The vehicles are also used in armed-officer training.

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