Even by cop standards that fucking stinks

Before you jump to a stupid conclusion. They are policing for terror threats as well as lefties with banners and placards. I'd imagine that's what the rifles are for. Criticise the cops for lots of things, but moaning that you think this is out of proportion policing is rubbish. And 'high powered' sniper rifle lol, would you prefer a low powered one?! Tabloid speak

They had a few police with rifles on the rooftops at the Tory Conference when they were in Manchester before in 2011, presumably to deal with any terrorist attacks. I doubt they were there for the policing of protestors on the ground. There were scores of unarmed police on the streets - unarmed except for batons and dogs that is - to police demonstrations. If anything had kicked off in the street, the police snipers would not have been able to shoot without serious risk of hitting their own side, methinks. They would have been there only for the same security reasons this year.
When I see coppers on the ground with guns, then I'll worry!

My son could take out those three dozy bastards with his catapult