There is still no realistic alternative to the plastic baton round in riot situations, Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy has said.

However, research into two new technologies which may become alternatives is to be carried out.

The minister made her comments as she published phase three of a research programme aimed at finding an acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to the baton round or plastic bullet.

The minister said it was a thorough and comprehensive piece of work of extensive research into alternative less lethal systems conducted over the past 12 months.

We would interpret this as the erection of a smokescreen around the continued unjustified use of a more lethal form of baton round Campaign Against Plastic Bullets

She said it was "unprecedented in terms of its national and international context".

However, Mrs Kennedy said the steering group had stated in the report that there "is still no off-the-shelf, commercially available, effective and acceptable alternative to the baton round at this time".

The report said: "There may be issues relating to the use of conventional firearms to fire a less lethal projectile in a public order situation."

'Policing methods'

However, the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets criticised the minister's comments.

Jim McCabe, whose wife Nora was killed in west Belfast by a plastic bullet, said: "We would interpret this as the erection of a smokescreen around the continued unjustified use of a more lethal form of baton round.

"The alternative to the use of plastic bullets is proper policing methods.

The bottom line is that plastic bullets kill and we want an end to their use Alex Attwood SDLP

"Water cannon have been used here in the past - surely that is a strong alternative."

SDLP policing spokesman Alex Attwood said: "The SDLP is totally committed to an end to plastic bullets.

"Patten recommended research to find an alternative to these lethal weapons.

"The bottom line is that plastic bullets kill and we want an end to their use."

A new report published last week revealed there has been a large increase in the number of plastic bullets fired by soldiers in Northern Ireland.

The Independent Assessor of Military Complaints reported recently that more than 80 baton rounds were fired in the first 10 months of 2002 - compared to less than 20 for the whole of 2001.

However, Jim McDonald said all the baton rounds used were justified.

The report showed there were eight strikes to the upper torso recorded during the period of assessment.

However, he insisted all 102 rounds were fired within rigid legal guidelines.