Strong arm of the law to open doors

(First Edition)

A one-man battering ram with the power of eight sledgehammers is about to deal a blow to criminals hiding behind their front doors.

The 35lb (16kg) rod of steel is to be issued to Metropolitan Police officers and can open the most reluctant front door within minutes.

The manually operated battering ram - mounted on two handles - will replace the sledgehammer, used when suspects decline to observe a warrant. But it is being issued only to specially trained officers because of health and safety regulations.