EDINBURGH INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION SPEAKS OUT
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 MEETS FAITH LEADERS
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:
- Scottish Hindu Foundation
- Scottish Association of Mosques
- Scottish Council of Jewish Communities
- Senior Rabbi, Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue
- Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society
- Scottish Episcopal Church
- Church of Scotland
- Muslim Council of Scotland
- Scottish Refugee Council
The First Minister also met with:
- Jo Farrell (Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
- Alan Speirs (Deputy Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
- Gary Ritchie (Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland)
- Douglas Ross MSP (Scottish Conservatives)
- Anas Sarwar MSP (Scottish Labour)
- Lorna Slater MSP (Scottish Greens)
- Patrick Harvie MSP (Scottish Greens)
- Alex Cole Hamilton MSP (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
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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A STATEMENT BY EDINBURGH INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION
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