Police condemn 'shameful' and 'cowardly' targeting of officers after violent incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs branded the incidents “shameful” and “cowardly”
Police Scotland have condemned “shameful” and “cowardly” incidents in which officers were attacked surrounding Bonfire Night, including two violent encounters in Midlothian and Edinburgh.
In one of the incidents, officers were violently attacked after responding to a report of a disturbance on a Lothian Country bus in Edinburgh.
Officers were called to the scene in front of the Mercedes Benz showroom on Edinburgh Road in Newbridge at around 10.35am on Friday, November 6.
Two police officers were treated by paramedics at the scene for their injuries.
A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, November 9.
Another incident saw an officer taken to hospital following a confrontation which was sparked after a car was stopped at around 8.15am on Saturday, November 7 in Midlothian.
Police said that a 23-year-old driver struck one of the three attending officers and has since been arrested and charged in connection with the assault. He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, November 9.
An incident in Glasgow on Saturday evening (November 7) which resulted in three officers being assaulted, with two being taken to hospital, was also singled out by Police Scotland.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “This weekend we saw a catalogue of violent incidents across Scotland, with officers being injured, assaulted and requiring hospital treatment as they attended calls during their shifts.
“These acts against our officers are shameful and cowardly. Not one of those officers left their home and families to go to work and expected to become a victim of assault. Being assaulted is simply not part of being a police officer.
“Our latest performance figures show that every day on average 21 officers are assaulted on duty. We are seeing a difference due to the actions to reduce the impact of violence towards officers as part of our Your Safety Matters programme and the introduction of Body Worn Video. However, assaulting our officers is simply unacceptable.
“We place the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of our officers and anyone who has been assaulted is encouraged to make use of the support which is available.”
It comes after Bonfire Nights itself was marred by disorder, including in Oxgangs where a road was barricaded and fireworks was fired at officers.
Police Scotland previously issued an appeal for witnesses to assist their investigation into the incident.
Sign up to our breaking newsletters to get the biggest news straight to your inbox as it's happening
Detective Inspector Sophie McWhinnie said: “Antisocial behaviour, disorder and targeting officers in this way is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
“We’re appealing for anyone who was in the area who witnessed what happened, or may have mobile phone footage, to get in touch. We’d also urge people to check any private CCTV, ring doorbells or dashcams in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.”
Council leader Jane Meagher said she was “angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder, with a small minority seemingly intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.”
She added: “We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.”