Police consider plastic bullet use

Grampian officers may be the first to use plastic bullets

Police forces across Scotland are pushing to use plastic bullets in firearms incidents.

Civil liberties campaigners are warning that the move could lead to innocent people being badly injured or killed.

It is similar to the type of ammunition that has killed 14 people in Northern Ireland.

Plastic bullets have been used twice in incidents south of the border since their introduction last year.

It doesn't remove the possibility that an innocent person might be seriously injured or even killed

John Scott
Scottish Human Rights Centre

Now specially-trained officers in Grampian Police could be one of the first forces in Scotland to use the equipment.

Officers say plastic bullets will only be used to control firearms incidents not public disorder.

Grampian's Joint Police Board will discuss the issue on Friday.

'Serious injury'

The firing of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland since 1973 has courted controversy.

They were introduced by security forces at the height of the Troubles to replace rubber bullets following a string of fatalities.

However, 14 people - including seven children - have died after being struck by the theoretically non-lethal alternatives.

Grampian Police Inspector Kevin Heatly told BBC Scotland the force was hoping to introduce plastic bullets for specific situations.

Plastic bullets have been available in England since 2001

"At the moment we would have to deal with blade or crossbow incidents either with conventional firearms or potentially a CS spray," he said.

"The spray is a close quarter thing and the firearms will cause very, very serious injury.

"Therefore we are looking to fill the gap with a less lethal option and the baton round will give us that option."

Human rights

However, human rights campaigners are unhappy about the possibility of plastic bullets being introduced north of the border.

John Scott of the Scottish Human Rights Centre said it had serious concerns.

"It doesn't remove the possibility that an innocent person might be seriously injured or even killed," Mr Scott said.

"The police are not giving any guarantees about that.

"It isn't just a question about innocent people, but also those the police do want to arrest.

"They too should have the right not be seriously injured unless the circumstances make it unavoidable."