Met police push ahead with armed patrols despite backlash

Force sparks rift with London mayor over plan to counter knife crime and violent gangs

The Metropolitan police have said they would press ahead with plans to allow armed officers to patrol areas with their guns visible and ready to use, in an effort to quell knife crime and violent gangs.

News of the plans provoked criticism and, the Guardian has learned, has sparked a rift with Sadiq Khan, who was not consulted despite the force being accountable in law to the London mayor.

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from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Rnb0ad