More armed police on our streets
THE NUMBER of armed police officers on duty on Scottish streets has almost doubled since the Westminster terror attack.
Police top brass are normally tight-lipped about such details for operational reasons.
However, Nicola Sturgeon told Conservative MSP Jamie Greene during First Minister’s Questions last week that Police Scotland had almost doubled the number of armed officers in the wake of the London tragedy.
The SNP leader, though, did not put an exact figure on the size of the armed presence.
Khalid Masood’s deadly attack claimed the lives of four victims, including PC Keith Palmer outside the Palace of Westminster on March 22.
As revealed in The Sunday Post, the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, scheduled an emergency debate on the routine arming of all officers at their conference, which was held last week.
It was argued officers should carry guns as a matter of routine, to ensure the quickest possible response to attacks.
Police Scotland has continued to reassure the public following the London tragedy.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “The public should be in no doubt of Police Scotland’s ability to cope with major incidents, such as a terrorist attack.”