Knowing that British police officers do not carry firearms, you may be under the impression that they are kind of a joke. After all, what damage is a cop in a funny hat really going to do with his little nightstick?

If you have been of that opinion, you've be wrong:

U.K. Cops Set Off Blast Amid Raids

LEEDS, England — British troops blasted their way into a home in northern England in what they said was a search for explosives, and police conducted a series of raids linked to last week's London bombings.

Police said 500 people were evacuated from the area and the streets were cordoned off. Hours earlier, police searched five residences elsewhere in Leeds as part of the investigation of Thursday's subway and bus bombings that killed at least 52 people.

That's right, while they may not carry guns, MP's apparently walk around packing C4 or its equivalent. Wouldn't a battering ram be safer? Perhaps. But let's face it, it would just take up so much room in the lorry.