The Helsinki Police Department would like to have the windows of their patrol vans equipped with removable metal nets. The purpose of such grilles over the windows would be to protect the glass and the police officers inside the van against stones and other materials that are occasionally thrown at them.
As the Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior has expressed its support for the project, it is likely to be implemented.
The need for the new kind of protection has been caused by experiences with demonstrators throwing bottles, stones, and large blocks of wood at police vehicles.
The incidents have resulted in broken glass - to say the least. Considering the occupational security of the police officers, the situation is grave enough to justify the proposal, the Police Department has argued.
"It is necessary to have shockproof equipment that withstands external violence, in order that we can protect our staff. So far the Finnish police have not had such equipment available", notes Helsinki deputy police chief Jari Liukku.
The Department intends to have metal nets installed on two Volkswagen Transporter vans soon. The removable nets could be placed in position when needed.
Liukku noted further that the need for such equipment emerged on May 1st of last year, when several police vehicles were damaged by rowdy crowds.
