The head of Cumbria's police union says the UK must now consider routinely arming police officers following the London terror attack.

The comment – echoed by former county chief constable Stuart Hyde – has come from Martin Plummer, chairman of the county's Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers.

Both men spoke out the day after the horrific attack on London's Westminster Bridge and outside the Houses of Parliament.

Some Cumbrian MPs – including Carlisle's John Stevenson - were caught up in the tragedy as police and security staff responded and Parliament was put into a comprehensive “lock-down” for several hours.

The lone assailant – thought to Islamist inspired – began his attack on Westminster Bridge, using his Hyundai hire car to mow down unsuspecting pedestrians before crashing and then running towards Parliament brandishing a knife.


Pc Keith Palmer PC Keith Palmer, a 48-year-old married father, tried to intercept the attacker but was stabbed to death.

Seconds later, the attacker was shot dead by police.

The terrifying assault lasted less than five minutes but at its conclusion four people – including the attacker – were dead, and dozens injured, some critically.

The Cumberland News spoke to Cumbrian MPs swept up by the attack's aftermath and to current and former police officers who paid tribute to PC Palmer.

They also commented on the key issue of whether officers responsible for protecting the public should themselves be better protected.

Mr Plummer said: “It's been absolutely shocking to hear about what happened; how an unarmed police officer ran towards danger to protect members of the public and colleagues and then paid the ultimate price.

“Over the last two or three years, I've spoken of how police officers put themselves in harm's way on a daily basis. Sometimes, people hearing me say that might think I've been exaggerating.

“This incident shows I was not. PC Palmer left home on Wednesday expecting to do an honest day's work and then return at the end of the day to his family. Tragically, that never happened.

“It shows how dangerous a police officer's job can be. The people on the bridge were just going about their lives when this dreadful tragedy unfolded.

“We've been talking recently in the police service about the need to protect the protectors. We protect the public from danger but unfortunately danger can be around every corner.”

Asked if he believed it was time to arm all officers, Mr Plummer said: “It's certainly something that needs to be debated.

“We need to look whether it's the most approriate way to deal with the threat; at whether the time has come for us to routinely arm all officers who protect the public; and if it is appropriate then it's something we'll have to seriously consider.”

Along with other present and former police officers, Mr Plummer said Cumbrians should not naively assume the county was immune to a terror attack.

Former Cumbrian Chief Constable Stuart Hyde, 57, who retired from the force in 2013 but now runs his own cyber security firm, said: “This will resurrect the debate about whether we should arm our officers, particularly those working in areas where there's a high risk of terrorism.

“My personal view is that you could extend it [the practice of arming officers]. We should look at allowing more officers to have guns in areas where there is a higher risk.”

Both Mr Hyde and Mr Plummer paised the “exemplary” response of the officers in Westminster.

Both believe that swift response saved lives.


Stuart Hyde Mr Hyde added: “Nobody should be foolish enough to think that it's happened in London but it couldn't happen here. There's every chance that something like this could happen again.

“Everybody needs to be alert.

“It doesn't matter whether it's Carlisle, Kendal, or London. We all need to be alert for something like this.”

Carlisle-based former police officer Simon Clarkson, who was formerly based in London and worked in the Westminster area, said: “I've never wanted the police to be armed. That's not part of the reason I joined.

“But the harsh reality is that in certain areas and at certain facilities, officers will probably now need to be armed.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson was among the hundreds of politicians who found themselves stranded in the chamber of the Houses of Parliament for several hours as the police and security services responded to the attack.

"It's a terrible tragedy for the individuals involved," said the MP.

"Our thoughts are with their families – both the family of the police officer who died and the people who were on the bridge, who were innocently minding their own business when this happened.

"Their lives, and those of their families, have been turned upside down.”

Mr Stevenson said it was important to recognise that the attack – which he believed was down to a single “deranged” individual – can not be allowed to interere with the UK's free and open democracy.

Commenting on it, the MP added: “It was absolutely pointless.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron, along with Workington MP Sue Hayman, and Barrow MP John Woodcock, was among those left stranded in Parliamentary buildings as police checked the areas for possible accomplices.

Describing the attack, Mr Farron said: “"I was probably only about 100 yards away, heading off to go in and vote. There were moments of blind panic.

"I was with a group of between 200 and 300 people, and we were all bundled out through a small revolving door by police and taken to New Scotland Yard. It was terrifying."


Craig Mackey Former Cumbria chief constable Craig Mackey, now Scotland Yard's acting Commissioner, was at the scene of the tragedy.

He spoke briefly yesterday at a ceremony of remembrance for PC Palmer.

“The work we have done over many years practising and exercising for scenarios like yesterday has helped,” he said.

“But nothing prepares people and nothing prepares family for the reality of what occurred yesterday."

Cumbria police's assistant chief constable Sean Robinson said: “The thoughts of all officers and staff are with all those affected by the events in London.

“While there is no specific threat to the county, we would urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us."