Sale of controversial water cannons set to fund youth projects
Adam Offord
Monday, December 19, 2016
Three unused water cannons bought by former London Mayor Boris Johnson are to be sold, with the proceeds invested into youth projects, it has been announced.
??Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that any money gained from the sale of the machines, bought in 2014, will be channelled back into youth projects to tackle crime.
?The commitment to sell the vehicles and invest into youth projects was a key pledge in Khan's manifesto in the run-up to the Mayoral elections earlier this year.?
?Johnson purchased the machines, which have a 10-year lifespan, from the German Federal Police prior to approval for their use in London being granted. In July 2015, Prime Minister Theresa May, who was Home Secretary at the time, refused permission for their use.?
Khan announced that the cannons are now for sale via the Ministry of Defence as he revealed the full cost to Londoners in maintaining them.
?Data released by the Mayor showed that nearly £323,000 has been spent by the Met Police on purchasing, fitting out and repairing the machines over the past two years, despite the fact they cannot legally be used in the UK and have been in storage.
The figures also showed about £21,000 has been spent maintaining them. ??
Khan claimed that by selling the vehicles, he can save almost £175,000 over the next eight years, which can be spent on frontline services to help tackle the causes of crime.
"It beggars belief that such a huge amount of taxpayers' money has been wasted on paying to store these redundant machines," Khan said.
??"By working with communities and returning to real neighbourhood policing, we can do far more for the safety of our city rather than relying on obsolete and illegal water cannon.??
"They do not belong on the streets of London and by selling them, we're able to put money back into helping young people affected by gang crime and keeping Londoners safe."
