Police use unauthorised weapons, Blair Peach jury told: from the archive, 7 May 1980

The inquest into the death of Blair Peach, who was killed during a demonstration against the National Front, hears that crime squads often carry pick-axe handles and homemade truncheons

Duncan Campbell: The lessons of Blair Peach

Police officers on crime-fighting duties often use unauthorised weapons such as pick-axe handles and special heavier truncheons, the Blair Peach inquest at Hammersmith coroner's court was told yesterday.

Inspector Douglas Hopkins, the head of Scotland Yard's No 3 Special Patrol Group, said that the use of these weapons was known to senior officers but, that as a result of the Peach case they would probably be formally issued in future.

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