§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times police forces have sent to his Department a written report on the circumstances of an operational use of CS spray for public order purposes since 1990. [67610]
§ Mr. BoatengCS spray has only been in use since 1996 and is not intended for use in situations of serious public disorder. It is intended primarily for the personal 365W protection of police officers, and may be used in certain situations where suspects are disorderly either individually or in group situations and violence is threatened or likely. A written report has been obtained in one case, and information has been received about two others in which CS spray has been used, in response to public concern or inquiries from Members of Parliament and others.
CS dispersed in smoke for use in situations of serious public disorder has been available to all police forces since 1968 for use as a tactical option. It has not been used in England and Wales during the time period in question.