Labour chief Angela Rayner says terror cops should ‘shoot first, ask later’ as she vows ‘hardline’ approach to crime
LABOUR deputy Angela Rayner has said cops should “shoot terrorists and ask questions second”.
The outspoken party boss, who grew up on a Stockport council estate, lashed bleeding-heart liberals in her party for not being tough enough on crime.
She tried to distance herself from Jeremy Corbyn’s reign by saying she was on a “different page” to Jezza when it comes to law and order.
And she urged cops to "annoy the hell" out of local criminals and thugs who make life hell for their neighbours.
Speaking to Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast, she said: “On things like law and order I am quite hardline. I am like - shoot your terrorists and ask questions second.
“Sorry - is that the most controversial thing I've ever said?”
Ms Rayner - who sparked fury last year by branding Tory ministers “scum” - said cops should take a tougher line on robbers and thugs.
Forces should be raiding homes rather than doling out crime reference numbers, she added.
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Ms Rayner said: “On law and order, I think if you are being terrorised by the local thug I want a copper to come and sort them out.
“You should be hardline on things like that.
“It’s not just ‘Oh you've been burgled here is a crime number’.
“I want you to beat down the door of the criminals and sort them out and antagonise them. That's what I say to my local police - 3 o'clock in the morning and antagonise them.
“It's the usual suspects…I want the police to annoy the hell out of them until they realise disrupting lives is not OK.
“I am quite hardline on that.”
Her comments are likely to spark fury among some in her own party.
And they are a far cry from the leftie agenda she ran on when Mr Corbyn was party boss.