THOSE intent on causing violent disorder during the COP26 summit will be responded to “swiftly and robustly”, Police Scotland’s chief constable has said.
Iain Livingstone said policing the international conference in Glasgow was one of the largest operations to have taken place anywhere in the UK.
Speaking alongside Nicola Sturgeon during a briefing in Glasgow, he said: “We will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest at COP26, balanced against the rights of the wider community.
“But to those intent on violent disorder and damage, to those who seek to disrupt the climate conference actually taking place, I have a clear message.
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“We will respond swiftly and we will respond robustly.”
The Police Scotland chief also confirmed the summit will involve "physical engagement" because many protesters won't remove themselves voluntarily.
Asked if he was confident world leaders will be able to get to the conference without being blocked by protesters, Livingstone said he expects challenges to arise.
He said: "The people who are here are here to protest to have their voices heard, that's absolutely legitimate, and part of the event itself.
"But there's no point if that protest actually inhibits the conference taken place if it prevents world leaders getting to the event so that negotiations can arise and the outcomes all of us wish to come from the conference can have the chance to take place.
"So there may well be attempts to disrupt motorcades and there's going to be a whole series of movements, it's going to be incredibly busy in the city of Glasgow and there may well be attempts to disrupt or to prevent some of those movements.
"We're going to do everything we can to prevent that We will take robust measures because it's absolutely crucial that the world leaders can attend so that actually the conference takes place so I am confident that we will be able to deal with whatever arises but I am expecting challenges to arise."
The First Minister also said people coming to Glasgow for protests during COP26 must show consideration to residents of the city.
She said: “I want to thank the organisers of these demonstrations – as well as a number of other activist groups – for the engagement they have had with the city and with the police, to ensure that their demonstrations take place safely and securely.”
She said that regardless of views on the summit, “progress will not be made if discussions are disrupted”.
Sturgeon continued: “More generally – and this of course applies to all protests – I would ask that people demonstrating show consideration for the city and people who live here.
She added that hosting COP26 is a “huge honour for Scotland”, but warned that disruption to travel around the event is inevitable.
She spoke during a briefing in Glasgow ahead of the conference.
Sturgeon said: “For the next fortnight, Glasgow and Scotland will be at the centre of the world’s attention.
“Hosting this conference is a huge honour for Scotland – and it is also a major responsibility.”
She continued: “It is inevitable that such a major event will bring some disruption.
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“That will be particularly true in the next few days as national leaders and heads of state – together with more than 20,000 delegates – come to Scotland from across the world.”
She said this coming Sunday, Monday and Tuesday would be particularly busy while major demonstrations were planned for Friday November 5 and Saturday November 6.
“The people of Glasgow are opening their city up to the world at what is a difficult time for everybody around the world.
“I hope those who are travelling into the city, welcome though they are, recognise that.”
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