SIX out of 10 South Yorkshire Police officers would be prepared to be armed on duty, a PFEW survey has shown.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Zuleika Payne says she thinks the stat shows that officers are feeling the strain of the more aggressive and violent environment they are having to police in.<\/p>\n
In the survey 61% of South Yorkshire Officers said they would carry a gun on duty if required, indicative of the harm they are increasingly exposed too Zuleika said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are all too aware of the times we are in, the potential threats to them and to members of the public,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about their desire to be successful in their mission to serve and protect the public and it\u2019s an interesting fact which demonstrates the strength of feeling out there about this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The traditional view of unarmed British Police on the streets may have to change in the future she added although routinely arming police is \u2018not something anyone would want to see.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cSociety is changing, and policing is having to change with it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think any of us want to see a future where we have to routinely arm British police officers but the risks they are becoming exposed to these days mean we might see a change in that view in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n