New police gun units for routine patrols on Tube and rail network (UK)

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Armed police outside Victoria station. The threat from terrorism remains 'severe'

Armed police may be deployed on the Underground in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

Senior police officers are holding talks with government officials about creating a new firearms unit to protect the Tube and railway network.

The move comes amid heightened fears of a Mumbai-style terror attack on a crowded station or at a shopping centre. The change is part of a major review of counter-terrorism measures being conducted in the run-up to next year's Games.

At present the British Transport Police have to call on local forces for armed support. Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police were deployed on the Tube and railway in the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. The BTP could now gets its own firearms capability which would allow routine patrols.

The changes may begin with a unit in London before being extended nationally. A decision is expected within weeks. The move comes after it emerged that security had been tightened across the rail network and at Heathrow. Both the Met and City forces have put armed patrols at mainline stations. Sources have told the Standard that discussions involve the role of a possible armed unit.

One said: "The question is whether they should be a response unit or carry out routine patrols such as the armed officers at Heathrow."

Scotland Yard has already issued more powerful rifles, the Heckler & Koch G36, to its armed response crews.

A BTP spokeswoman said: "We are continually reviewing how we go about preventing terrorist attacks and are discussing a range of options around crowded places. These include railway stations and the Underground."

The overall level of threat from international terrorism is still "severe".

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23916239-new-police-gun-units-for-routine-patrols-on-tube-and-rail-network.do

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I thought bobbies didn't need to carry guns.

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I thought bobbies didn't need to carry guns.

Rumors of the gunless utopia have been greatly exaggerated.

[slim 1,514]

This is the dumbest idea ever. Armed cops stop terrorism like they stop all other crime - THEY DON'T!

Keyword in that 7/7 attack reference - aftermath. They showed up AFTER the attacks. You don't defeat terrorism with armed guards.