We’ll need at least 800 extra off icers to keep public safe, warn police
Brexit will mean more patrols at borders and could even bring civil unrest if Scots hit by shortages of essentials says Chief Constable
SCOTLAND’S police have issued a stark warning that at least 800 more officers will be needed to keep the public safe after Brexit.
Spelling out the ‘numerous consequences’ for policing when Britain leaves the EU, Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the ‘additional challenges’ mean the force will need to ‘enhance numbers’ of officers.
Brexit, he warned, will mean extra duties guarding Britain’s borders and ports – and could cause potential protests and unrest in the event of shortages of food or medicines.
Although Mr Livingstone would not be drawn on exact numbers, the organisation which represents rank and file officers warned that at least 800 more police would be needed.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) also claimed the added strain of Brexit could threaten the force’s ability to carry out its key duties of fighting crime and keeping the public safe.
Mr Livingstone, who was appointed in August, was at pains to avoid the political debate. But his claim the force lacks the resources to deal with the Brexit fallout has political ramifications for the Scottish Government, which funds Police Scotland.
He said: ‘We need to maintain and potentially enhance our officer numbers to cope with the additional challenges we face, and that is a financial pressure we must address.
‘The consequences of Brexit for policing are numerous and not just confined to additional needs relating to ports and borders.
‘No one is able to predict with confidence what additional challenges will result, but it would be negligent not to make contingency plans. There will be requests from all across the UK for support to maintain security.
‘There has been a lot of focus on Northern Ireland but all UK policing will be affected by Brexit – and it will have a significant impact for Police Scotland.’
He added: ‘At the last police authority meeting, I said we had to make plans to respond to any disturbance at the same time as hoping that no disturbance occurs.
‘If there are any disruptions to food supplies or pharmaceutical supplies, will they be severe enough to spark political protests? It’s difficult to predict, but it’s our duty to be ready and capable of responding appropriately to maintain safety.’
SPF vice-chairman David Hamilton said at least 800 officers – an increase of 5 per cent – would be needed.
He added: ‘Within that, there would be some provision for increasing our capability to deal with any civil unrest, but it is potentially a very conservative estimate and it may be we would need even more to maintain our current level of service.
‘It is also not the case that we can assume any effects would be shortlived. Whatever does emerge, the situation could remain like that for years so we have to plan for the longterm, then adapt accordingly.
‘Police officers don’t just appear on streets, they have to be recruited and trained – that takes many months.’
It is widely acknowledged that a heavy burden will fall on Police Scotland as forces south of the Border have been ravaged by cuts, leaving numbers well down.
Scottish officers will be required to plug gaps in all corners of the UK, including the Irish border.
Sources close to the force say senior police in Northern Ireland have already issued a plea to their Scottish counterparts for up to 400 extra officers should a hard Brexit lead to the stepping up of border controls.
The Scottish Government did not comment on the need for extra police – but said it would demand the UK Government covers any additional costs incurred by leaving the EU.
A spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Government is carefully considering the practical and financial implications of leaving the EU, including without a deal, with a range of stakeholders, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
‘This encompasses civil contingencies planning around any impacts that might have on citizens.
‘The Scottish Government has been clear any costs related to EU exit should not have a detrimental impact on Scotland’s public finances.’
‘It is potentially a very conservative estimate’