Following the Fourth Report of the Steering Group, published in March 2005, the Government gave a commitment to introduce AEPs into all UK police forces as a less lethal replacement for the L21A1 baton round. In March 2005, following a lengthy debate, the Policing Board voted to endorse the Chief Constable’s decision to introduce the AEP for use by the PSNI.
At the time of the Policing Board’s decision, a number of interested parties raised concern about the impact of AEPs on children. The Policing Board continues to work with the PSNI and other interested parties to address these concerns.
The Policing Board’s Human Rights Advisors examined the PSNI’s use of AEPs following public disorder at the Whiterock and Ardoyne Parades in the summer of 2005 and reported their findings in their Report on the policing of the Ardoyne Parades on 12 July 2005 and the Whiterock Parade on 10 September 2005.