16. The Government accepts this recommendation. On 14 January 2020, the Home Secretary approved the revised Code of Practice for Armed Policing and Less Lethal Weapons (LLW). The Code has now been published on The College of Policing website and on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-policing-and-police-use-of-less-lethal-weapons-code-of-practice and can be accessed via the official documents page. 17. The revised Code makes clear that all new less lethal weapon systems, certain specialist munitions and significant changes to pre-approved less lethal weapons systems will require approval by the Home Office before they can be used by police forces in England and Wales. All changes to less lethal weapons must be referred to national policing leads and the Home Office for consideration. This would apply to the CS canisters which were used by GMP during Operation Shire and were a focus of concern to the Inquiry. 18. The revised code strengthens and clarifies the approval process of less lethal weaponry. The Code of Practice describes the roles and responsibilities of Chief Officers in relation to armed policing and less lethal weapons. It is relevant to all police officers in England and Wales involved in armed policing or the use of less lethal weapons setting out as it does the basic principles of the selection, evaluation, approval, authorisation, acquisition, training, standards and deployment of these weapons by the police. 19. The Code replaces the 2003 Code of Practice for the Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons. The Code has a statutory basis in law, meaning that all police officers have a duty to have regard to it. The revised Code of Practice should be considered in conjunction with the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for Armed Policing. Alongside the APP the Code of Practice will help to ensure that the police forces maintain the high standards for the police use of firearms, specialist munitions and less lethal weapons, for which the UK is renowned.