Former police officer Norman Brennan has hit out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, arguing on GB News he has not done enough to quell the chaos.
After days of riots, thousands of officers were deployed across London on Wednesday expecting potentially the most violent night yet.
But the large-scale disorder did not materialise, with Starmer saying “last night was much better than expected”, while insisting “we are not going to give up on our efforts here”.
Brennan told Nana Akua that he does not remember a time where a new Prime Minister has had an in-tray as stacked as Starmer’s within just weeks of picking up the keys to 10 Downing Street.
Brennan said Starmer needs to do more to tackle the chaos
GB NEWS
“Keir Starmer seems to be like that guy, the naked guy on the horse”, he said.
“He doesn’t think people don’t see him for who he is. After four weeks, I’ve never known a prime minister to have so much on his plate.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
“And when he was in opposition, he had all the answers and solutions.”
Brennan went on to demand firm action to tackle any more potential unrest with water cannons and a hefty police presence.
“I have been in policing for 45 years. The Government under Keir Starmer has said we need 13,000 more officers”, he said.
“2,000 of those officers must be selected into eight lots of 250 officers with every single one public order trained.
Norman Brennan joined Nana Akua on GB News
GB NEWS
“We need 10 dog handlers on every single one of those units. What we also need is 10 firearms officers.
“All of those eight units will be spread throughout Britain, one in London. We need water cannons with smart water dye and facial recognition.
“All of these demonstrators who think they can throw rocks, assault police and cause huge amounts of criminal damage will be sprayed with that smart dye.
“When they go home, they will be identified from the photos and put before the courts.
Protestors stand off with police in Southport Getty“If we do this, we will take the streets back from the criminal element.”
The Government has promised to maintain its ramped-up approach despite a quieter night.
The Home Secretary met with police officers and Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens at the Metropolitan Police’s specialist operations room.
She told the BBC: “We’re going to continue with this strong policing response, making sure that there are additional police officers ready to respond.”