Stumblefist,
No, in the UK the police do not routinely carry guns. Only a tiny proportion of the force have firearms training and are authorised to use them, and only in specific circumstances.
There is an Armed Response Vehicle with two trained officers for every large town or city, sometimes more than one for large cities, eg. Manchester, London.
Kaitain, I agree with everyone else, you did great.
What did the Zen Master say to the hot dog vendor?
Make me one with everything.