Most British police officers are not routinely armed. Instead, they rely on specially trained Authorised Firearms Officers to attend incidents where firearms are necessary. Specialist Firearms Officers are usually trained to a higher standard than AFOs, because they are likely to be required to enter besieged premises. The vast majority of firearms used by British police are semi-automatic. Police use of force regarding firearms is governed by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Weapons used by Home Office police forces
Firearms used by police officers vary between police forces in the UK. The Chief Constable and Police authority of each force decides the number of firearms officers and type of police firearms available. In 2010, 5.56mm calibre carbines were widely introduced in case an attack similar to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Firearms issued to Authorised Firearms Officers include:
In addition to the issued weapons above, AK-47 variants have been seen in use with Metropolitan Police officers roleplaying as gunmen during CTSFO training exercises.
Unlike territorial police forces in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as the Garda Síochána in the neighbouring Republic of Ireland, all Police Service of Northern Ireland officers are trained to use firearms and are routinely armed while on duty, as were those of the preceding Royal Ulster Constabulary; many officers also carry firearms while off duty. Historically, RUC officers were issued with the Ruger Speed-Six revolver from 1979 onwards and had access to the Sterling submachine gun and the Ruger AC-556 select-fire rifle until these were replaced by the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun and the Heckler & Koch G3 and Heckler & Koch HK33 rifles between 1992 and 1995, with the PSNI inheriting the Speed-Six revolvers and the Heckler & Koch weapons upon its formation in 2001; the Speed-Six revolvers were subsequently superseded by the Glock 17 pistol from 2002 onwards, while Heckler & Koch G36 variants were acquired to supplement earlier Heckler & Koch weapons. L104 riot guns are available for crowd control purposes.
Like the PSNI, officers of the Belfast International Airport Constabulary are issued the Glock 17 pistol whilst on duty. Officers are also authorised to carry Heckler & Koch MP5s, similar to those used by the PSNI prior to the adoption of the Heckler & Koch G36.
All Ministry of Defence Police officers are required to pass a firearms module during training, with most officers being routinely armed; however, CID officers are not routinely armed.
Heckler & Koch MP5-SF- issued to specialist units. Widely replaced in general service by the MP7.
Heckler & Koch MP7 issued to non-specialist units nationwide. Phased in to remove the need to carry a rifle and side arm although some units still carry both. The SF Variant was produced to meet the exclusive request by MDP as its only user worldwide.
