§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many stun grenades have been issued to the RUC; how many have been used in the past 12 months; what level of authorisation is required for use of this weapon; and what(a) rules and (b) guidance apply to its use. [1229]
§ Jane KennedyPercussion grenades, often referred to as stun grenades, are ACPO/Home Office approved equipment held by Specialist Firearms Teams throughout the United Kingdom. In the Royal Ulster Constabulary, stun grenades are available for use in hostage type situations. None has been fired operationally in the last 12 months. For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to place figures relating to the exact amount of grenades issued to the Royal Ulster Constabulary. However 201 have been issued for training purposes of which 101 have been fired in the last 12 months. The use of this weapon would be authorised at least at Regional Assistant Chief Constable level. Rules and Guidance are provided under the association of Chief Police Officers' Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms.