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First Minister John Swinney held further talks with Police Scotland yesterday to receive a further update on preparedness should any disorder emerge in Scotland over the weekend.
Throughout the week the First Minister has remained in regular contact with Police Scotland to discuss the ongoing situation and support work to promote community cohesion across the country.
Earlier this week he brought faith and refugee community leaders together and held talks with leaders of political parties and Police Scotland to unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, prejudice and Islamophobia.
The First Minister has also written to X, Meta and TikTok to ask what action they are taking to combat the spread of misinformation, and to address racist and hateful material on their platforms.
The First Minister said: “The last few days have been a challenging and worrying time for many with the scenes of violence unfolding in other parts of the United Kingdom.
“I would like to thank Police Scotland for their continued work to protect our communities. Their ongoing engagement across Scotland and enhanced patrols are vital to support community cohesion and ensure public safety.
“We remain vigilant to the potential for disorder in Scotland and I have been reassured by Police Scotland that it has the capability and resources in place to respond should we face similar challenges, and that plans and preparations are in place to ensure everybody is kept safe.
“While officers and staff are doing their part to keep us all safe – there is no place in Scotland for hatred of any kind, and each of us has a responsibility to confront racism and religious prejudice, including islamaphobia, wherever and whenever it appears, and do all we can to strengthen community cohesion.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Officers right across Scotland continue to provide reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.
“You may see more officers in our towns and cities and we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.”
Police are appealing for help to trace a 14-year-old boy who has been reported missing from the Ferniehill area of Edinburgh.
Aiden Webb was last seen around 12.45pm on Tuesday 6th August, 2024.
He is described as white, 5ft6, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black top and black tracksuit bottoms.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Aiden’s welfare and are appealing to anyone who thinks they may have information regarding his whereabouts to please get in touch.
“We would urge members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us”.
“Anyone with information can call us on 101, quoting incident number 3995 of Tuesday 6th August, 2024.”
Police Scotland continues to engage with our communities to offer reassurance following violent disorder in other parts of the United Kingdom.
Officers continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.
Today (Wednesday 7 August, 2024) Chief Constable Jo Farrell met with the First Minister John Swinney MSP along Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie in Edinburgh.
Our Chief is also meeting with community groups in Glasgow to listen to their perspectives and offer reassurance.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, Gold commander for our policing response, said: “We understand the concern and officers right across Scotland are providing reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.
“Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our communities.
“We are aware of a number of potential protests, and counter protests, over the coming weeks, which will be policed appropriately but we are not going to speculate on or add publicity to individual potential events.
“I would also encourage everyone to be responsible in their use of social media and not to share speculation or inaccurate information. Please think twice about what you read, share and believe from online sources.
“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and our role is to ensure public safety while balancing the rights of protesters who wish to peacefully demonstrate. We encourage anyone with concerns or information to contact us through 101.
“Violence and disorder is not legitimate protest and anyone who engages in disorder will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.
“Our thoughts continue to be with those affected by the appalling violence which has been experienced in some communities and with our brave colleagues in UK policing.
“We continue to be in close touch with other UK police services should requests for support be required.”
First Minister John Swinney has held positive talks to provide further reassurance to people across Scotland in the context of ongoing disturbances and disorder in parts of the UK.
The First Minister met with representatives of faith and refugee groups at Bute House this morning to show solidarity with communities around the country.
He then met with Scottish political party leaders and Police Scotland representatives to discuss the situation in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Speaking after the meetings, the First Minister said: “My positive meetings today were intended to provide reassurance that this is a time for solidarity and that we are united in our opposition to anyone who would seek to use disorder to divide people.
“I have drawn together faith leaders from across communities in Scotland to express our solidarity together – we respect each other and we want everybody to be safe within our society.
“I have also brought together leaders of political parties in Scotland for a briefing with Police Scotland to enable the police to set out the work they are undertaking to keep people safe in Scotland, should we face any events of the type that we have seen in other parts of the United Kingdom.
“The displays of violence, prejudice and Islamophobia seen in other parts of the United Kingdom have no place in democratic society, and I want to reassure people in Scotland that we have plans and preparations in place to ensure everybody is kept safe.
“We are absolutely not complacent and remain vigilant. I am in regular contact with the Chief Constable who has reassured me that Police Scotland has the capability and resources in place to respond should we face the same challenges.”
The First Minister met with representatives from the following faith and refugee groups this morning:
The First Minister also met with:
Secretary of State for Scotland @IanMurrayMP has also written to reassure Scottish faith communities and underline there is no place in Scotland for racism, bigotry, or the politics of hate:
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Police Scotland has published new guidance for officers responding to hate.
A new standard operating procedure and policy document supercedes interim guidance issued in May and closely aligns with College of Policing guidance.
The new guidance continues to outline a reasonable person and policing purpose test for the recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) and emphasises that the details of the other party of a report will not be routinely recorded as part of an NCHI.
It also makes clear Police Scotland’s approach to behaviour motivated by hate is rooted in the principles of integrity, fairness and respect, commitment to upholding human rights.
Both the SOP and policy document were widely consulted on with key stakeholders whose feedback was assessed and used to make amendments to the final products.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and officers balance the protections people have under human rights legislation against other laws every day, using their discretion and good sense.
“To support implementation of the new hate crime legislation, Police Scotland developed and delivered a programme of training to support our officers, including an e-learning module which has been completed by more than 91% of officers, as well as a series of in-person and online workshops.
“We’ve trained a cadre of around 80 hate crime advisors and 450 hate crime champions to support colleagues while Contact, Command and Control (C3), officers and staff also received tailored training.
“This guidance provides additional clarity, direction, and consistency to our response to reports of hate, including hate crime and non-crime hate incidents and aligns closely with the College of Policing guidance.”
Scotmid Co-operative, is bringing the “It’ll Cost You” campaign, which highlights that buying alcohol for children could result in a fine or jail time, to stores across Edinburgh.
Through its partnership with Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) and Community Alcohol Partnerships, the retailer aims to serve a duty of care within the community by protecting children from the harms of underage drinking.
Throughout the school holidays, radio adverts will be played over the in-store radio, ensuring that shoppers understand the legal implications of buying alcohol for under-18s. Scotmid is also displaying campaign graphics on digital screens, highlighting the consequences of proxy alcohol purchases.
Ian Lovie, Scotmid Compliance Manager at Scotmid said: “Our role in the campaign is to make our customers in our communities understand the implication of purchasing alcohol for under 18s.
“The campaign is a great example of working together with local law enforcement, to make the communities we serve safer.”
Superintendent Joanne McEwan, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.”
Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Proxy purchasing is not an easy crime to detect and retailers are the first line of defence in reducing underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.
“The ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”
Grahame Clarke, Community Alcohol Partnership Coordinator, said: “The campaign gives us an opportunity to spread the ‘It’ll Cost You!’ message in local communities, highlighting the dangers of buying alcohol for young people.
“We look forward to working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers to make sure that this messaging is carried through all our engagement activity this summer.”
Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, said: “I welcome the return of a campaign that successfully illustrates the value of strong collaboration and regular engagement between partners, which help to deliver shared aims to help reduce underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in our communities.”
The campaign will run throughout summer 2024. For more information, visit:
A motorcyclist course that gives tips on better riding is now available across the country.
Police Scotland, along with road safety partners, are holding courses to help motorcyclists as part of a holistic approach which also includes educating other drivers to reduce the number of collisions.
Motorcyclist deaths are up 80 per cent (18) this year compared to the same period last year (10).
Rider Refinement East and West is a one-day course, with eight sessions between August 2024 and October 2024 in Glenrothes and Glasgow.
Led by police motorcyclists and accompanied by an observer from the Institute of Advance Motorists, the course will look at key risk factors and provide riders with the knowledge and skills to be safer.
The course involves demonstration rides, observed rides with feedback from officers, vehicle examination checks of riders’ bikes and safety checks that should be carried out before any journey.
Previous courses received positive feedback from riders who changed their riding style and improved their skills as a result of attending Rider Refinement.
Inspector Ally Johnson, head of Police Scotland’s Motorcycle Unit, said: “The course is about engaging with motorcyclists and helping them make better decisions to improve their riding.
“This isn’t about taking the fun out of riding a bike. The course is run by motorcyclists, for motorcyclists.
“On a daily basis we also speak to other road users and highlight campaigns to encourage drivers to look out for motorcyclists, especially at corners and junctions.
“The harsh reality is people are dying on Scotland’s roads and we need everyone to play their part to help us improve road safety.
“I would encourage people to come along, speak to us and try the course for yourself.”
The course is open to any qualified motorcyclist who hold a full cat A or A2 licence; however, priority will be given to those living in central belt of Scotland.
Police Scotland would like to specifically thank Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre and Motorcycle Law Scotland for their continued support with Rider Refinement East and West.
Rider Refinement originally started in the north in 2018, before extending to the East in 2023 and is now rolled out to the West in 2024.
The cost of the course is £40 per rider and includes lunch. Spaces are limited, so providing more than one date for attendance will increase your chances of being able to participate.
Anyone interested in attending the course can email:
operationriderrefinementeast@scotland.police.uk for courses in Glenrothes, or operationriderrefinementwest@scotland.police.uk for courses in the Glasgow area.
The dates the course will be running are:
East, Glenrothes Police Station
Saturday 17th August
Saturday 28th September
Sunday 20th October
West, Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre in Linwood
Sunday 11th August
Monday 2nd September
Sunday 15th September
Saturday 5th October
Thursday 17th October
Tyler McCallum is missing from the Aviemore area and was last seen there around 11.45am on Saturday, 3 August, 2024.
Tyler is 14 years of age. He uses buses and regularly travels to Edinburgh.
Anyone with information should contact 101 (reference 4110 of 3 August).
Police Scotland is closely monitoring the violent protests which have occurred in parts of the UK over recent days.
Police Scotland wishes to reassure communities that there is no intelligence indicating similar incidents are likely in Scotland. We continue to liaise with a range of partners to maintain this level of reassurance.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton, Policing Together, said: “We understand that these recent events may cause concern, that is why we have focused our efforts on increasing policing visibility and engagement across the country as our primary commitment remains the safety and wellbeing of all our communities and our officers and in building trust and confidence.
“We continue to closely monitor the events in England. Police Scotland is dedicated to upholding human rights and will not tolerate violence or discrimination against any group.
“ We wish to thank the Scottish people for their support and while we believe there is no cause for alarm, we encourage anyone with concerns or information to report them to us.”
Police in Edinburgh have today launched their annual campaign to keep people safe throughout the Edinburgh International Festival 2024.
Operation Summer City launches on Friday, 2 August, to coincide with the beginning of The Festival and will be in effect for the duration of the four-week event, which includes the Fringe, Book Festival, Art Festival and Film Festival.
Edinburgh’s population is expected to double to around one million people throughout August and an enhanced policing resource will be in place to engage with
As part of Operation Summer City, local officers from Edinburgh will be supported by colleagues from neighbouring divisions. National and specialist departments within Police Scotland will also be deployed to provide additional support and assistance.
Throughout Operation Summer City, Edinburgh Division’s social media channels will be used to offer a range of advice and guidance aimed at keeping people safe. The public should follow Police Scotland Edinburgh Division on Facebook and @PSOSEdinburgh on Twitter to view these messages.
Chief Inspector Paul Gillespie from Edinburgh Division said: “Edinburgh during the Festival is one of the most exciting places in the entire world and we want to ensure all of those enjoying the festivities remain safe throughout.
“Over one million people will be within the Capital throughout August and those visiting the city-centre can expect to see a high-visibility police presence who are happy to speak with the public to address any issues they may have, as well as to respond to any reports of crime arising.
“To enhance our presence and ability to respond to any incidents occurring, we will have our mobile police station set up in Cockburn Street and anyone wishing to speak face-to-face with an officer is welcome to drop-in during the station’s opening hours.
“We want everyone to have an enjoyable, memorable and safe Festival and rest assured, we are doing everything we can to maintain Edinburgh’s status as one of Europe’s safest cities to live, work and visit.”
