Weapons To To Hold Water
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday March 21, 2006
POLICE water cannons could be deployed to the Hunter to deal with large-scale public unrest such as that seen in Cronulla and Macquarie Fields in Sydney.
Premier Morris Iemma announced funding yesterday for a water cannon similar to those used to quell riots and civil disturbances in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The cannon, mounted on the back of a truck and used to knock troublemakers off their feet, will be deployed as part of the newly formed NSW Police public order and riot squad.The $700,000 device can hold 2000 litres of water to be delivered in continuous streams or pulses. Water cannons were first used in Australia during an uprising at South Australia's Woomera detention centre in August 2000, but NSW will be the first police force to use them. Squad commander Chief Superintendent Steve Cullen said the cannon would be based in Sydney but could be sent to regional areas such as Newcastle. "If the level of intelligence indicated quite clearly that there was going to be large-scale public disorder, and I mean significant intelligence . . . then I would roll it out to Newcastle police station with its operatives on standby," he said."You look at what the situation is, you look at what tactics and options you put in place are they working, are they not working? If they're not, we need this as an additional option."Mr Iemma said funding for the cannon was prompted by riots in Macquarie Fields last year and the more recent racial violence in and around Cronulla.The Hunter has had its share of public unrest in recent weeks, with an alcohol-fuelled riot involving 1000 people in Cardiff last month that ended in eight arrests and five police officers being injured. Lake Macquarie police acting duty officer Peter Wilson doubted such an incident would require resources such as the water cannon.
© 2006 Newcastle Herald