Wakeley church stabbing: What happened to $700,000 police 'superweapon' for ... trends now
EXCLUSIVE
Police gave away a $700,000 water cannon which was bought to counter violent public disturbances such as this week's church riot at Wakeley in Sydney's western suburbs.
The water cannon was purchased in the wake of riots at Redfern in 2004 and Cronulla and Macquarie Fields in 2005 during a political era of tough-talking on fighting crime.
The device was intended to be deployed in the most serious incidents of public disorder but was given to NSW Fire and Rescue five years ago, having never been used to quell a riot.
A mob of about 2,000 angry men was involved in a series of intense confrontations with police at Wakeley, near Fairfield, on Monday night.
Police gave away a $700,000 water cannon which was bought to counter violent public disturbances such as this week's riot at Wakeley in Sydney's western suburbs. (Stock image of a water cannon)
An angry mob of thousands was involved in a series of intense confrontations with police at Wakeley, near Fairfield, on Monday night. Officers are pictured at the scene
The riot was sparked by a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a live-streamed sermon at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church.
The alleged knifeman was captured by members of the congregation before police arrived.
Parishioners took to the streets and surrounded the church from about 7pm until after midnight.
Police put up a helicopter and sent in more than 100 officers including members of the Tactical Operations Unit and Public Order and Riot Squad.
Rioters threw bricks at cops and smashed the windows of several police cars. More than 50 officers were injured and several were taken to hospital.
Water cannons have been widely used for riot control in other parts of the world including the US, South Africa, parts of Europe including Germany, and Asia.
NSW Police purchased a water cannon was purchased in the wake of riots at Redfern in 2004 and Cronulla and Macquarie Fields in 2005. (Stock image of a water canon)
The NSW government bought a US-built water cannon 16 years ago to be used by police but the only time it was seen fired was during an event for the media.
The roof-mounted high-pressure cannon was mounted to a truck with a 12,000 litre tank and could shoot a torrent of water more than 50m.
The vehicle was fitted with an airtight cabin to protect its occupants from smoke and gas and equipped with shatterproof, wire mesh-reinforced 'anti-bandit' glass'.
A heavy push bar mounted at the front of the black truck allowed it to clear barricades and other obstacles.
last month, NSW Liberal Upper House member Chris Rath sought an answer from the government about the device's
