Fears over new plastic bullets

The PSNI police is set to purchase a new generation of potentially lethal plastic bullets without the approval of the police board.

The new bullets will continue to be fired from the same guns and at the same velocity as the current plastic bullets.

The PSNI believes it does not require authority for the move from the Policing Board. It is feared the bullets could be depoloyed as early as this summer.

Families bereaved as a result of the use of plastic bullets have expressed disappointment at the news.

Commenting on the news, plastic bullet campaigner Clara Reilly said it was, “disgraceful” that the introduction of yet another plastic bullet “would even be countenanced when the research into and development process of the AEP is acknowledged as incomplete”.

“If Huge Orde continues in ordering these plastic bullets, he is totally undermining the police board and the role they should have in these crucial issues. If the board does not hold him to account, they are undermining their own role,” she said.

Reilly also criticised the fact this latest model of plastic bullet was being introduced without any impact assessment on the threat to children - who are the most common and vulnerable victims of plastic bullets.

“There are no reports on ricochet effects, despite this having been a cause for concern since the development of the current bullet, the LA21,” said Reilly.

Urgent Appeal