Decision to postpone demo was ‘sensible’

CHIEF Inspector McIntosh said the decision to postpone Sunday’s demonstration in support of Black Lives Matter was probably a “sensible one”.

The protest, which was organised to show support for the movement in the wake of the death of George Floyd in police custody, was ultimately postponed due to concerns over Covid-19 and social distancing.

Mr McIntosh said: “I have a neutral view on the decision, to be honest.

“I fully understand and support the organisers with regards to the movement and the cause, but I also understand their concern over whether there would have been risks to have so many people meeting up in the one place.

“It was probably a sensible move but, had they gone ahead with it, we would have facilitated it as people still have the right to protest.

“In the end I believe around 200 people chose to demonstrate in City Square and we were there for that.”

Meanwhile, Mr McIntosh said the biggest change he had noticed since lockdown began was the influx of concerns about social distancing.

But he stressed that the ordinary day-to-day work of police was continuing and urged people to contact them if they believed a crime was being committed.

He said: “It may be frustrating as people don’t immediately see action being taken, but that’s because we have to go through the proper channels.

“But I would encourage people to keep telling us, don’t be disheartened, we rely on communites giving us information.

“And if you don’t want to come directly to us, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”