Police "need riot tactics guidance"

Police forces across England and Wales should be given clearer guidance on how to tackle future riots, UK Home Secretary was saying Tuesday. Theresa May was saying forces need the clearer guidance on a wide range of issues from operational tactics to the number of officers who need public order training. However, she is expected to clash with senior officers and critics as she rejects their calls to reconsider the Government's 20 percent cuts to police budgets in the wake of the riots and looting that have rocked England, according to extracts of a speech she is making later today. Instead, she was saying the disturbances of the past 10 days show that the reforms are now more urgent than ever. Mrs May is writing to Sir Denis O'Connor, the chief inspector of constabulary, saying that forces should be given clearer guidance on tactics, pre-emptive action, the number of officers trained in public order policing, the need for forces to assist others, and the appropriate arrest policy. Sir Denis warned earlier this year that more than two in five forces were unprepared to help police major protests. In her speech in central London today, Mrs May was also expected to praise officers who put themselves in harm's way during the riots, according to extracts of her remarks released officially. "We owe all police officers a debt of gratitude," she was saying. "One thing is clear: the experience of the last 10 days makes the case for police reform more urgent than ever." Mrs May was also adding that controversial proposals to replace police authorities with elected police and crime commissioners from next year, and the introduction of a new National Crime Agency, were now more important than ever. She was also expected to clarify that when questions are asked about the success of policing operations, it is not intended as an attack on the police, but instead to reflect questions alrady being asked by officials at the Home Office. The Home Secretary's defence of the Government's budget cuts comes after Prime Minister David Cameron also rejected calls from senior officers and Conservative Mayor of London Boris Johnson for a rethink, insisting that the reforms would reduce bureaucracy and allow a greater "police presence" on the streets. Opposition Labour leader Ed Miliband attacked Cameron and Mrs May yesterday for apparently claiming credit for tougher policing as police forces across the country flooded trouble-hit streets with specialist officers. He said the Prime Minister and Home Secretary "undermined" police chiefs, branding their behaviour "so wrong". He also accused Cameron of talking tough with gimmicks, citing the threat of water cannon, US supercops, and "a daily door-knock for gangs".