Police could get water cannons

Police could emerge from an investigation into their controversial handling of the G20 protests with the power to use heavy-handed tactics including high-powered water cannons, CS spray and baton rounds.

Ministers have confirmed that a review of crowd-control methods will consider more direct tactics used by police to break up riots overseas. The only UK police to have used water cannons were in Northern Ireland.

Home Office Minister Lord West said: "I do not like the thought of water cannon, baton rounds or shooting people, all of which seem to occur in some other countries. However, all of those things will be looked at."