A Reform UK council leader has said police should be able to "shoot people if necessary" as the party launches its plans to crackdown on crime.
Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran said that police forces should have "the proper backing" to shoot those who pose a threat to officers or the public.
Discussing with Times Radio, Kemkaran said: "We must give our police force the proper backing to be able to do their job, to catch the criminals, to shoot people if necessary, if they feel that that person is going to present a real and present danger to either themselves and the police or to members of the public.
"You know, look at the police that have been dragged through the courts simply for doing their job. I think it's disgusting."
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|Kemkaran said it's 'disgusting' to see police dragged through courts
She said that police "should not be dragged through the courts and be held up like a criminal" if they do discharge their weapon on a threat.
While discussing Reform's plans outlined by party leader Nigel Farage, the council leader said she feels "sorry" for officers who could find themselves in court for "gross misconduct" if they do their job.
Her comments follow Reform's plans to halve crime within five years of entering Government, should the party win the next General Election.
Farage said on Monday: "Reform will be the toughest party on law and order and on crime that this country has ever seen.
"We will aim to cut crime by half in the first five years of a Reform Government. We will take back control of our streets. We will take back control of our courts, of our prisons.
"If you're a criminal, I am putting you on notice today that from 2029 or whenever that may be, either you obey the law or you will face very serious justice."
The Reform leader said the force should recruit "big, strapping male" officers as society needs criminals to "slightly fear the police".
Farage promised a "higher and physically tougher standard of police officer on our streets".
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|Farage said his party 'will aim to cut crime by half in the first five years of a Reform Government'
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin also said that she never feels "comfortable seeing two female police officers together".
Speaking to the BBC, Pochin said: "I'd much rather see a great big strapping male police officer with a female.
"I think they look vulnerable. I think that we do need to be aware of our police being able to protect us - that's what they're there for."