‘Horrific’ scene for officers as criticism raised over hotel use for refugees
The head of the Scottish Police Federation has described the scenes experienced by police officers in central Glasgow as “horrific”.
A suspect was shot dead yesterday by police after six people were injured, including a 42-year-old officer, during the major incident at the Park Inn Hotel in West George Street.
Police Scotland have confirmed a male suspect was shot by an armed unit.
The injured officer was in a critical but stable condition last night.
Speaking from the scene yesterday, Scottish Police Federation chairman David Hamilton described the actions of the officers who dealt with the incident as “exceptionally brave”.
“Things like this do not usually happen in Glasgow and that’s why it’s such a shock,” Mr Hamilton said.
On the condition of the injured officer, Mr Hamilton said: “I understand that he’s been stabbed and that he’s in a critical but stable condition.
“I think it’s just horrific. This is what you dread as a police officer going into a scene like this.
“It’s something that police officers have to do, we have to walk into danger.”
He added: “It’s pretty clear that the circumstances they have been met with were really pretty horrific and what they would have had to deal with has been exceptionally brave in terms of their actions thereafter.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with our colleague, his family and friends, and all colleagues affected by this incident at this time.”
The Scottish Refugee Council paid respects to those who were killed in the brutal incident.
In a tweet, members of the organisation said: “Like everyone else, we are seriously worried about the situation at the Park Inn.
“We’re trying to get as much info as poss from Police Scotland
and our thoughts are with everyone affected.” The hotel where yesterday’s tragedy unfolded has been used to house asylum seekers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Radisson confirmed the Park Inn was partly being used as temporary accommodation – a policy that has received criticism from campaigners.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred to tensions, which have surfaced in the city’s George Square amid protests about the living conditions of refugees, when talking about yesterday’s incident.
Asked about the hotel being used to house asylum seekers, Ms Sturgeon said: “Of course people are worried and yes people have an understanding of the location and what that location has been used for in recent times, but beyond that I don’t think it’s helpful for people to speculate.
“Clearly there have been some tensions in Glasgow as there have been in other parts of the UK in recent times, but I want to send a message to people across Glasgow and across
Scotland – when dreadful things like this happen, they shock all of us to our core, but above all this should remind us of what unites us and not what divides us.”
Positive Action in Housing has criticised private housing provider Mears, which is subcontracted by the Home Office, for moving refugees from selfcontained accommodation to hotels.
A spokeswoman for the campaign group said the 91-room hotel was housing asylum seekers for the Mears Group, which moved them there during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Refugee Survival Trust said it was checking in with residents who were staying at the Park Inn.
The trust said via Twitter:
“We are currently checking in with all the Park Inn residents that we know. Glasgow – let’s find ways to make sure everyone affected gets the support they need right now.”
Ako Zada, from Kurdish Community Scotland, told a national newspaper he knew people in the hotel where the attack took place.
He claimed some of those had been suffering from mental health issues for months.
“People have severe mental health and are not happy about the hotel,” he said.
“I believe there’s around 100 in the hotel, but new people are always coming and going.
“They are supposed to be getting £5 a day for food.
“The situation is shocking, there’s already severe mental health – they need to move out.
“They were doing a demonstration last week and in George Square they were attacked by a far-right group.
“We have spoke about the food and the mental health. They’re not getting £5 a day to buy essentials and don’t know when they will be able to go home.”
A Mears Group spokesman said: “We are referring all inquiries to the Home Office as this is an ongoing police operation.”
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident at West George Street in Glasgow, which is currently being investigated by the police.”