Vandals smash window ofempty McArees
Stirling area commander Chief Inspector Lynn Ratcliff discusses the measures taken to minimise disorder on Old Firm weekends.
As many readers will be aware, we are right in the middle of two Old Firm matches which have historically proved to be challenging for Police Scotland and other emergency services across the country.
Last weekend we mounted a special policing operation across Stirlingshire and Forth Valley division in an effort to minimise the violence and disorder which is often associated with matches.
Additional officers were deployed on mobile patrols and on foot patrol within the city centre. Some were dedicated to visiting pubs and supporting staff there in making sure that the crowds gathered to watch the game and enjoying drinks afterwards did so peacefully.
We also had a number of visits to bookmakers premises which were particularly busy due to the football schedule and the Scottish Grand National taking place over the weekend.
I would like to extend my thanks to the staff in the pubs and bookmakers in Stirling.
All were very co-operative with and supportive of the policing operation, and made a huge contribution to patrons enjoying events safely.
Sadly, Old Firm games can also see a rise in domestic abuse incidents.
Therefore, we had officers dedicated to visiting victims of domestic abuse to check on their wellbeing and provide reassurance and also carry out visits to known domestic abuse offenders to ensure they were complying with the terms of their bail conditions.
Overall, the policing operation was very successful – with only a couple of minor incidents in the city centre spoiling what was an otherwise peaceful day.
At around 3.30pm on Sunday a male who was causing a disturbance in Friars Street was arrested and at around 8pm two men were arrested for fighting in the same street.
Due to the additional patrols in the city centre, officers were nearby and quickly attended at both incidents to restore calm and arrest the offenders.
Another male was also arrested in Murray Place for shouting, swearing and general disorder and on arrest, was found to be in possession of a small quantity of cannabis.
This coming weekend, which is also a bank holiday, there will as usual be officers deployed to the City Centre Policing Plan which focuses on the night-time premises and, thanks to the success of last weekend’s Old Firm operation, we will repeat this for the match on Saturday.
We hope by doing so everyone will have a safe and enjoyable bank holiday weekend.
Finally, I would just like to remind readers that there are only two weeks left until the public consultation on the Police Scotland 2026 Strategy closes.
The views of local communities are essential to helping develop the strategy and ensuring that citizens are at the heart of shaping and informing police services in the future.
I would, therefore, urge you to make your views heard and you can do so via consult.scotland. police.uk/consultation/2026/ or, alternatively, you can get in touch with the 2026 Team at Policing 2026 Consultation, Clyde Gateway, 2 French Street, Dalmarnock, Glasgow, G40 4EH. Vandals smashed a window at the old McArees shop in Stirling city centre in broad daylight last week.
Police are appealing for information after a panel on the front door was damaged some time between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday April 19.
Officers were alerted after an alarm sounded at the empty premises but those responsible had left the scene by the time they arrived.
As King Street would likely have been busy at this time, anyone who can help police in their investigation is urged to get in touch.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The store closed in September after 127 years of operation in the city.