Police use of water cannon and baton rounds during NI riots ‘proportionate’

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) use of water cannon and baton rounds during widespread rioting in June was “proportionate”, a review has found.

The Police Ombudsman has carried out a review into the police use of force during the disorder.

Violence flared in several areas in Northern Ireland in early June after a graphic video clip emerged of a man being stabbed in north Belfast.

Masked mobs set fire to homes, cars and a bus, and people were targeted based on their race, including healthcare workers subjected to threats and intimidation.

The ombudsman reviewed police use of water cannon and attenuating energy projectiles (AEPs), commonly known as baton rounds, and concluded their use was proportionate.

Police used AEPs 20 times, along with water cannon, to help control disorder on the night of June 10th.

Body worn video footage of the incidents was subsequently assessed by Police Ombudsman investigators.

AEPs were used 15 times in Glengormley and five times in Portadown.