CAMPAIGNERS called on ministers to stop arms sales to “abusive” police forces yesterday after it was revealed that British-made riot gear was used by officers in the United States against BLM protesters. 

Riot shields made in England by DMS Plastics were used by at least six different US police forces, a joint investigation by the Guardian, Bellingcat, Sky News and Lighthouse Reports has found.  

Footage analysed by the news outlets showed the shields were used on a number of occasions to hit protesters and, in one case, a journalist. 

Nonetheless, a government review of the licences in June supposedly found “no evidence that equipment licensed by the UK was used during the protests.” 

Campaign Against Arms Trade’s Andrew Smith told the Star: “The priority has to be to ensure that this does not happen again.

“The licences for these weapons must be revoked and there must be an end to the political mindset and morally bankrupt policies which allowed the sales in the first place. 

“The UK should not be arming, supporting or assisting violent and abusive police forces in the US or anywhere else.”