London cops retain 'shoot-to-kill' policy

"We have reviewed it and we have made one or two small changes, but the operation remains essentially the same," a Metropolitan police spokeswoman told Reuters.

The spokeswoman declined to detail the changes, but London police chief Ian Blair said officers would continue to use deadly force to stop possible terror attacks.

"The methods that were used appeared to be the least worst option (for tackling suicide bombers) ... we still have the procedure in use," he told the Daily Mail.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Chief Police Officers, which issues the shoot-to-kill guidance, codenamed "Operation Kratos," said the overall policy was unaffected.

"They are going to make changes operationally, but they are not in a position to change the guidance. We are not changing it," she said.

Operation Kratos outlines what level of force officers can use to thwart what police call a "deadly and determined attack."

Public awareness of the policy only emerged after police shot Jean Charles de Menezes eight times at point blank range as he boarded an underground train on July 22, the day after four bombs failed to explode on the London's transport system.