Armed police to continue at Scottish Parliament

Police Scotland is to continue armed policing at the Scottish Parliament for the time being, following a review of security as a result of the terrorist attack on Westminster earlier this year.
Armed Police are to continue outside The Scottish Parliament as Holyrood and other potential target areas have a heightened Police presence. Picture; SWNSArmed Police are to continue outside The Scottish Parliament as Holyrood and other potential target areas have a heightened Police presence. Picture; SWNS
Armed Police are to continue outside The Scottish Parliament as Holyrood and other potential target areas have a heightened Police presence. Picture; SWNS

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “Following the terrorist attack at Westminster on March 22 2017 officers armed with Tasers were deployed at the Scottish Parliament, but that was increased to officers with conventional firearms after the horrific attack in Manchester and maintained following the terrorist attack in London.

“Over the last two and a half months a review of parliamentary security has been completed and a report has been provided to the Scottish Parliament.

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“In support of one of the recommendations contained in the report we have made the operational decision to maintain armed police officer presence at the Scottish Parliament on an ongoing basis.

Police Scotland will remain outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture; SWNSPolice Scotland will remain outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture; SWNS
Police Scotland will remain outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Picture; SWNS

“This is an operational contingency to provide protection and reassurance to the public and staff who attend at the Scottish Parliament. This will hopefully never be needed but demonstrates our ability to respond to any eventuality.

“This decision is proportionate and justified and is in line with the operational response at other devolved legislative assemblies in the UK, and will be reviewed on a quarterly basis in line with our other armed policing standing authorities.

“All communities in Scotland benefit from the protective policing offered by armed response officers and I am currently reviewing how all our armed response officers are deployed across the country to ensure that they are used to their maximum benefit.”