Code of Practice on New Weapons Approval
Anthony Grainger Inquiry · The Anthony Grainger Inquiry Report into the Death of Anthony Grainger · Issued 11 July 2019 · Addressed to: Home Office
Government responseHome Office: Accepted (May 2020)
DeliveryHome Office says completed (May 2020)
Recommendation, verbatim from the inquiry
●Inquiry recommendation
The Secretary of State for the Home Department should ensure that the new Code of Practice on Police use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons contains an express prohibition on the use of a new weapon system by the police service until the approval process set out in the Code of Practice has been completed and the new system has been approved by the Secretary of State.
Anthony Grainger Inquiry, The Anthony Grainger Inquiry Report into the Death of Anthony Grainger · 11 Jul 2019 Source PDF →
Published evidence summary
AI-generated evidence summary
The Inquiry asked that police be barred from deploying unapproved new weapon systems. In May 2020, the Home Office stated that it accepted the recommendation, having approved and published a revised statutory Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons (Home Office response, May 2020; Home Office, May 2020). The department explained that the code requires its approval before police forces in England and Wales can use any new less lethal weapon systems, certain specialist munitions, or significant modifications (Home Office response, May 2020; Home Office, May 2020). In January 2020, Priti Patel informed the House of Commons that the revised code addressed the recommendation by requiring ministerial approval for all such weapons (Priti Patel, Jan 2020). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of May 2020 (Home Office response, May 2020).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 12 Oct 2026.
Government response
●Home Office · Accepted · 19 May 2020
16. The Government accepts this recommendation. On 14 January 2020, the Home Secretary approved the revised Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons (LLW). The Code has now been published on The College of Policing website and on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-policing-and-police-use-of-less-lethal-weapons-code-of-practice and can be accessed via the official documents page. 17. The revised Code makes clear that all new less lethal weapon systems, certain specialist munitions and significant changes to pre-approved less lethal weapons systems will require approval by the Home Office before they can be used by police forces in England and Wales. All changes to less lethal weapons must be referred to national policing leads and the Home Office for consideration. This would apply to the CS canisters which were used by GMP during Operation Shire and were a focus of concern to the Inquiry. 18. The revised code strengthens and clarifies the approval process of less lethal weaponry. The Code of Practice describes the roles and responsibilities of Chief Officers in relation to armed policing and less lethal weapons. It is relevant to all police officers in England and Wales involved in armed policing or the use of less lethal weapons setting out as it does the basic principles of the selection, evaluation, approval, authorisation, acquisition, training, standards and deployment of these weapons by the police. 19. The Code replaces the 2003 Code of Practice for the Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons. The Code has a statutory basis in law, meaning that all police officers have a duty to have regard to it. The revised Code of Practice should be considered in conjunction with the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for Armed Policing. Alongside the APP the Code of Practice will help to ensure that the police forces maintain the high standards for the police use of firearms, specialist munitions and less lethal weapons, for which the UK is renowned.
Extract from: Government response to the Anthony Grainger public inquiry (accessible version)
Delivery
●Home Office says completed · 19 May 2020
16. The Government accepts this recommendation. On 14 January 2020, the Home Secretary approved the revised Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons (LLW). The Code has now been published on The College of Policing website and on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-policing-and-police-use-of-less-lethal-weapons-code-of-practice and can be accessed via the official documents page.
17. The revised Code makes clear that all new less lethal weapon systems, certain specialist munitions and significant changes to pre-approved less lethal weapons systems will require approval by the Home Office before they can be used by police forces in England and Wales. All changes to less lethal weapons must be referred to national policing leads and the Home Office for consideration. This would apply to the CS canisters which were used by GMP during Operation Shire and were a focus of concern to the Inquiry.
From: Government response to the Anthony Grainger public inquiry (accessible version)
Earlier statements on delivery (0)
●Home Office · 14 Jan 2020
The new Code also addresses the recommendation made to the Home Office by the Anthony Grainger Public Inquiry. The Inquiry, which was established following the shooting of Anthony Grainger by the police in March 2012, concerns the authorisation of new weapon systems. It stated, ‘The Secretary for State of the Home Department should ensure that the new Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons contains an express prohibition on the use of a new weapon system by the police service until the approval process set out in the Code of Practice has been completed and the new systems has been approved by the Secretary of State’.
The Government accepts this recommendation. The revised Code makes clear that all new less lethal weapons and specialist munitions for use by police forces in England and Wales, and all significant changes to these weapons, must be approved by the Home Secretary.
From: Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Police Use of Less Lethal Weapons, Priti Patel, Secretary of State for the Home Department
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