Plastic bullets have been considered by police chiefs as a tactic to bring the unprecedented rioting in London under control.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said Scotland Yard was "not going to throw 180 years of policing with the community away" as the prospect of using the ammunition for the first time at a British disturbance was raised.
"The use of any tactics will be considered carefully," he said. "That does not mean we are scared of using any tactic."
Meanwhile, CCTV images capturing people police want to speak to in connection with the riots have been released by Scotland Yard.
Detectives leading the operation against the wave of disorder across London vowed to bring those caught on camera who were proven guilty of crimes to justice.
Images showed some young men and women did not even bother to hide their identities as they allegedly looted areas of Croydon and Lambeth.
Asked about other tactics, such as plastic bullets or baton rounds, Mr Kavanagh said: "Through the night the Commissioner did absolutely consider that as one of the tactics available to use, a tactic used if deemed necessary.
"These are very fast-moving mobs - by the time we get baton guns there, they will have moved on.
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