The government is looking at alternatives

A government steering group researching other options has published its fourth report on the work to replace baton rounds.

Its report - 'A research programme into alternative policing approaches towards the management of conflict' - outlines two methods it believes have real potential.

The first - the Attenuating Energy Projectile - has a similar but safer effect to the current weapon.

It is expected to be ready for operational deployment before summer 2005.

The second alternative - the Discriminating Irritant Projectile - "would incapacitate a violent individual through delivery of irritant to their upper body".

No baton rounds have been fired in Northern Ireland by the police or the army since September 2002 and I would be delighted if the public order situation further improved, removing the need to resort to baton rounds Jane Kennedy Security minister

This option is similar to those already in use with some police forces in Western Europe and the United States and would take about a year longer to develop.

The current L21A1 baton rounds were intended to provide greater accuracy for police and soldiers in riot control when they were introduced in June 2001.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy said: "No baton rounds have been fired in Northern Ireland by the police or the army since September 2002 and I would be delighted if the public order situation further improved, removing the need to resort to baton rounds.

"The community as a whole has a contribution to make to achieve that aim, but we are not there yet.

"Last April I said that on the basis that an acceptable, effective and less lethal alternative was available, the baton round would no longer be used after the end of 2003.

"I also said that if that was not achieved, we would report on the progress of the research programme and review the options, consulting widely."

'Difficult task'

This report also looks at the introduction of new water cannon for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea said the body would give "careful consideration" to the report.

The consideration of alternatives is no excuse to delay any further the removal of lethal plastic bullets - the PSNI and British Army have used and misused plastic bullets to kill and maim men, women and children Gerry Kelly Sinn Fein

"It is essential that the public has confidence in how the police deal with public disorder and that the police have access to a wide range of public order equipment for dealing with various public order situations," he said.

"Policing public disorder in a way that protects the human rights of members of the public and of police officers is a difficult task and the board would much prefer that police officers did not have to resort to using such measures at all.

"There is a duty of care to police officers, as well as members of the public."

Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said plastic bullets should not be in use.

"These are lethal weapons that have killed 17 people," he said.

"The consideration of alternatives is no excuse to delay any further the removal of lethal plastic bullets. The PSNI and British Army have used and misused plastic bullets to kill and maim men, women and children.

"Any alternatives must be non-lethal."