Armed officers at the ready for football match
TOUGH police search laws are to be rolled out for the first time at Saturday’s Scotland v England World Cup qualifier.
They will form part of the largest armed police deployment in Scottish history.
Officers will be allowed to strip troublemakers of scarves and hoods if they suspect them of using them to mask their identity at the Hampden clash.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said the 55,000 fans could expect to see an increase in armed officers ‘overtly carrying carbine’.
The extra firepower, the largest since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has been introduced amid fears of an attack in the wake of the atrocities in Manchester and London.
But police said there was no intelligence to suggest any specific plot was being prepared.
Today’s General Election will also see a doubling of armed police patrols on duty, with armed officers patrolling the perimeter of vote-counting venues on foot for the first time.
A concert by Robbie Williams at Murrayfield tomorrow, expected to be attended by 57,000 people, will also have enhanced security, with the venue opening at 2pm to enable fans to be searched.
Speaking at a briefing yesterday, Mr Higgins said: ‘Scotland v England is an iconic event and there will be firearms officers overtly carrying carbines.
‘This is the biggest policing operation since the Commonwealth Games and the single biggest deployment of police officers for any single event.
‘Intelligence suggests there are a number of risk supporters from various English and Scottish clubs intent on causing disorder and violence.
‘To me, it’s disrespectful given the events of the last three weeks, that people think it’s OK to behave in a manner that is an embarrassment to this whole country. It’s shameful.’
Mr Higgins said the search powers let police check cars and buses as well as demand fans reveal their faces for 24 hours on the day of the match.
Officers from England and Wales will help identify individuals known to be a risk. Alcohol bans will be in place on some trains and extra British Transport Police will be on duty.
On election security, Mr Higgins said: ‘There’s no intelligence any event is going to be the target of any sort of terrorist activity. People should feel safe to vote. We will not let the threat of terrorism impact on our everyday lives.’