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Swords to Plowshares GB / Re: My take on Swords into Ploughshares
« Last post by Jonesthetank on Today at 10:09:44 PM »Greater Manchester Police
James Anderton was a controversial Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). His hardline approach to policing made him a favourite of Margaret Thatcher and ensured that the GMP was more likely to receive special equipment, compared to other forces.
In response to the Moss Side riots in 1981, Anderton requested riot control vehicles for the force. None were immediately available, but the Thatcher government were willing to provide 6 Saxon APCs from army stock for use by the police.
Fitted with a simple barricade remover and given a suitable paint job, including the then standard “jam sandwich” orange and blue side flashes, the Saxons were deployed to Manchester in late 1981. In the event, they were not needed, as subsequent protests were far smaller and easily handled by the regular GMP units.
The Saxons were returned to army control in 1983, but for many the image of a British police commissioner, posing in front of an armoured vehicle, was one that would be etched into their memories.
James Anderton was a controversial Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). His hardline approach to policing made him a favourite of Margaret Thatcher and ensured that the GMP was more likely to receive special equipment, compared to other forces.
In response to the Moss Side riots in 1981, Anderton requested riot control vehicles for the force. None were immediately available, but the Thatcher government were willing to provide 6 Saxon APCs from army stock for use by the police.
Fitted with a simple barricade remover and given a suitable paint job, including the then standard “jam sandwich” orange and blue side flashes, the Saxons were deployed to Manchester in late 1981. In the event, they were not needed, as subsequent protests were far smaller and easily handled by the regular GMP units.
The Saxons were returned to army control in 1983, but for many the image of a British police commissioner, posing in front of an armoured vehicle, was one that would be etched into their memories.