Taxpayers have been hit with a £1million police overtime bill amid surging numbers of anti-migrant protests sweeping Scotland.
The wave of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations also forced senior management to cancel almost 3000 officer rest days in a year.
While some protests have been peaceful others have not, with 15 arrests in Glasgow last weekend during ugly scenes that saw passers-by from minority groups abused in the street.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “Whilst protest activity across Scotland is heavily concentrated in Edinburgh and Glasgow, it should be noted that the spread of protest activity across Scotland has grown in the last 18 months, with towns across Scotland that would not ordinarily see regular protest activity, having done so.”
View 3 ImagesPolice Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell(Image: Wishaw Press)
ACC Waddell said the force is examining the impact of repeat protests targeting asylum cent-res, warning of the disruption caused to residents, staff and communities in the crossfire.
He said: “Specific consideration will be given to the impact of repeat protests at a single location, in particular where it relates to asylum accommodation.
“There is a need to consider the impact of repeat protests on the rights of the occupants and staff of such premises and to consider whether further enforcement action by police meets the relevant thresholds in legislation and if so, how that can be achieved.
“There have been several examples of spontaneous community mobilisation in response to incidents reported online, including allegations relating to criminal offences attributed by those protesting to individuals from the asylum seeker community, or cases where foreign national sex offenders have been identified publicly within communities.
“In some cases, reporting has been accurate – in others activity has been driven by disinformation shared online.”
View 3 ImagesPro migrant and anti-racism protesters during the ‘Glasgow Reclaims The Streets From Far-right Hatred And Violence’ anti-racism protest(Image: Getty Images)
ACC Waddell added: “These protests have, in some cases, resulted in hostility toward police, including throwing of missiles and several arrests.”
The scale of the challenge has been thrust into the spotlight during the Commonwealth Games, after officers battled to keep control as an anti-immigration demo descended into chaos.
Baton-wielding officers struggled to keep control of a mob after thousands turned out for a “Unite The Clans “ demo. It drew large numbers of right-wing and anti-racism activists, with hundreds of officers deployed. Police were pelted by projectiles.
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ACC Waddell also highlighted “silent vigils”, with groups dressed in black gathering it public places.
He said soaring demand on policing from the protests is intensive and consistent.
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