HC Deb 30 June 1997 vol 297 c2W
Mr. Sedgemore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances plastic baton rounds are used by police in England and Wales. [6116]

Mr. Michael

Police forces in England and Wales hold plastic baton rounds for use as a last resort in dealing with serious public disorder. They may be used where conventional methods of policing have been tried and failed or are unlikely to succeed if tried, and where the chief officer decides such action to be necessary because of the risk of loss of life or serious injury, or of widespread destruction of property where the damage may lead to serious risk of loss of life or serious personal injury. Plastic baton rounds have never been used operationally in England and Wales.