Ships sailing under a British flag will be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates, the prime minister has announced. David Cameron says he wants to combat the risks to shipping off the coast of Somalia, where 49 of the world's 53 hijackings last year took place.
No ship carrying armed security has yet been hijacked, the government claims.
Up to 200 vessels flying the red ensign - the British merchant navy flag - regularly sail close to Somalia.
bbc