Friday 22 March 2013
I WRITE in response to your article "Top QC Says Response to March Like a 'Police State'" (The Herald, March 18).
Strathclyde Police did have a large number of officers on duty but this was to police a number of events in the city and not specifically for this incident.
Comment has been made with regard to the use of the police helicopter. The force helicopter is available daily for use as part of the comprehensive policing response communities across the Strathclyde Police area have become accustomed to. It is deployed to deal with a wide range of matters including demonstrations, parades, significant public order events, missing people, vehicle pursuits and other incidents.
It is the duty of the police to facilitate peaceful protest, which we do regularly. On Saturday we had other groups protesting in the city centre and these events were peaceful.
In policing on behalf of the public, we are not prepared to allow large groups of people to take over streets. This serves only to disrupt residents and endanger the safety of protesters and road users. We are not prepared to place officers at increased risk of injury while trying to keep people safe.
We are reviewing a significant amount of CCTV footage captured on the day.
This footage will be made available to the courts in order that they can deal appropriately with the 13 people arrested.
Unfortunately, we are prevented from releasing the full footage into the public domain due to ongoing legal proceedings. However, we will, in time, make it all public.
I believe our officers acted professionally and proportionately. Any complaint we receive with be thoroughly investigated.
Bernard Higgins,
Assistant Chief Constable,
Police Headquarters,
173 Pitt Street,
Glasgow."
http://www.heraldscotland.com/commen...reets.20583685
