Scores more armed police on streets to tackle terror threat
Number up by a third to ‘ensure safety’ of public
THE number of armed officers on Scotland’s streets is set to soar by a third amid growing threats of terrorism and organised crime.
Police Scotland, which currently has 275 officers attached to armed response vehicles, has announced plans to add a further 90 to that capability.
The change, expected to be in place by the spring or summer of next year, will lift the number of routinely armed officers to 365, a jump of about 33 per cent.
Overall, the force is to boost the number of officers within armed policing by 124 – a figure which includes trainers and firearms specialists including counter-terrorism officers.
Police chiefs said the plan – announced days after terror attacks in Orlando and France – is in response to the latest assessments of the threat from terrorism and the use of firearms by home-based criminal gangs.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the ‘different threats to [our] way of life are real and, as a nation, we must be prepared for any eventuality’.
Police stressed that the force overall remains an ‘unarmed service’. Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: ‘The threat level to the UK remains severe. There is no specific known threat to Scotland and this increase is not a response to any direct intelligence, but we must play our part in ensuring the safety and security of the whole of the UK.
‘It would be dangerous and complacent to think that Scotland is any less at risk than the rest of the UK and this move helps enhance our response.’
He said much had changed since the force’s firearms model was developed three years ago
‘Our focus remains absolutely clear: to protect the public, reduce the risk posed by criminals including terrorists and ensure we respond swiftly, effectively and decisively to any threat.’
In a statement to MSPs, Mr Matheson said Police Scotland’s decision had the full backing of ministers and he confirmed that armed officers would remain restricted from routine deployment following a public outcry over their attendance at minor incidents in 2014. Instead they will be deployed only in life-threatening circumstances, or if they witness a crime or someone in need of help, when they will intervene before referring the matter to other, non-armed officers.
Mr Matheson went on: ‘As a government, we are resolute in protecting the way of life that we enjoy and cherish in this country.
‘The threats to that way of life are real and as a nation we must be prepared for any eventuality. That is precisely what today’s announcement is about.’
He added: ‘Members will recall the controversy in summer 2014 when armed officers were deployed to incidents not involving firearms or a threat to life.
‘Police Scotland then reverted to the policy of only deploying armed officers to incidents involving firearms or a threat to life. There is no change to that approach.
‘The threat we face from terrorism is real. The overall threat level in the UK from international terrorism is classified as severe and has been since August 2014.
‘Sadly, we know that Scotland and the UK are not immune from terrorism – previously we have seen attacks in both Glasgow and London. The criminal use of firearms also poses a threat.
‘We are committed to ensuring that Scotland’s law enforcement
‘We must be prepared for any eventuality’ ‘Protecting the way of life we cherish’
and other bodies have all the tools they need to tackle terrorism and organised crime effectively.’
Speaking on STV’s Scotland Tonight programme, Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley called the move a ‘proportionate, sensible uplift’.
He added: ‘The nature of the terror threat has mutated and the methodology [of terrorists] has become more diverse. We need to make sure that Scotland is able to protect itself and its people.’
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), representing rank-and-file officers, said in 2015 that Scotland was ‘woefully under-equipped’ for attacks on the scale of those in Paris, in which 130 people died.
SPF chairman Brian Docherty welcomed yesterday’s announcement, saying it ‘will go some way to addressing the concerns we have expressed for some time’.