- Reform UK council leader Linden Kemkaran says that police should be given the “proper backing” to “shoot people if necessary” when they pose a real and present danger to officers or the public.
- Ms Kemkaran, the leader of Kent County Council, argued that police officers who discharge firearms in genuine fear for lives should not be prosecuted or "dragged through the courts".
- Her comments came as Reform UK launched new tough-on-crime measures, outlined by party leader Nigel Farage.
- Mr Farage pledged that a Reform government would aim to halve crime within five years and “take back control” of the streets, courts, and prisons.
- Mr Farage also proposed having "big strapping male" police officers on the beat and using overseas prison places, such as in El Salvador, to alleviate UK prison overcrowding.
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