Police deploy specialist resources during Halloween and Bonfire Night

Police Scotland is devoting a range of specialist resources to assist local policing teams during the week of Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Last year, officers across the country experienced high-volumes of calls relating to disorder, damage and violence.

During these incidents emergency service workers were targeted, including one incident in Edinburgh where a Police Sergeant was injured after a firework struck her.

In response to the unacceptable behaviour of a minority of Scotland’s communities, detailed planning has taken place to ensure additional resourcing is available to all areas should it be required.

A range of specially-trained officers will be deployable to all Policing Commanders in the North, West and East of the country and these assets will support the large number of local officers already in place for the Halloween and Bonfire Night celebrations.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Anderson said: “What we want to make it clear to our communities that the level of disorder witnessed last year cannot and will not be tolerated.

“Members of the public saw their vehicles and other items of property destroyed and emergency service personnel were the victims of attacks that put their safety and wellbeing at serious risk.

“To prevent similar incidents arising this year, a range of specialist police resources have been earmarked to provide additional capabilities to local policing teams throughout the country.

“Each local division is still responsible for the planning and deployment of their officers in their area, but has the reassurance of having specially-trained national assets at their disposal in the event of any serious incidents arising.

“Police Scotland is committed to protecting the public, as well as our own staff, and the benefit of a single force is the ability to call upon specialist resources and officers to support local policing.”