Give London police guns to protect them from knife attackers - report

Frontline police in London should be given handguns to keep them safe from knife attackers, according to an internal Met report.

The confidential review suggested all officers should be given semi-automatic pistols as a matter of routine.

At present, firearms are reserved for highly trained specialists who are deployed to high-risk incidents, patrol major events, or protect official buildings.

The Met has rejected the review's findings and said it continues to follow College of Policing guidance that 'does not support the arming of all front-line officers'.

All officers are given batons and pepper spray and there is a target to equip 10,000 with Tasers by the summer of 2027.