Significant Operational Events

SAFETY ON THE HILLS

On Saturday 5 August 2023 concerns were raised when three hillwalkers failed to return from a walk along Aonach Eagach ridge on the north side of Glen Coe. A multi-agency search was instigated involving the Coastguard, the RAF and Police Scotland Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), along with nine volunteer members of Glen Coe MRT. Tragically, the bodies of the three walkers were recovered on the hillside and our thoughts remain with their families and all those affected.

Scotland’s mountains are world renowned for their beauty and draw visitors from home and abroad throughout the year. The Mountain Summer Safety Campaign contains information and guidance around sensible steps when venturing into the outdoors and is being supported by partners such as Scottish Mountain Rescue and Mountaineering Scotland.

POLICING OF EVENTS

Police Scotland has a strong track record of successfully policing major events, ensuring they are held safely, while enabling people to make their voices heard and minimising disruption to wider communities.

Royal Week – Operation Sceptre

A number of royal events took place across in Scotland between Monday 3 and Thursday 6 July 2023 in connection with Royal Week. In addition to the traditional events held at the Palace of Holyrood House, members of the Royal Family held engagements and events across the country including Edinburgh, the Borders, Bo’ness and Fife.

A significant element included the People’s Procession and Service of Thanksgiving at St. Giles Cathedral. This event, last held in 1953, celebrated the King’s Coronation and included movement of the Honours of Scotland and Stone of Destiny from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles.

The policing operation, involving conventional and specialist resources, ensured the safety of several thousand spectators lining Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The operation facilitated peaceful protest and resulted in four arrests and four recorded police warnings.

Cycling World Championships - Operation Lewintrick

Between Thursday 3 August and Sunday 13 August, Scotland hosted the UCI Cycling World Championships, the first event to bring together 13 world championships of cycling, into one overall event.

This event was significant, involving over 8,000 elite and amateur cyclists from more than 120 countries who competed on our roads and at venues across nine Local Policing divisions. Over 300,000 spectators lined the 271km route for the Elite Men’s Road Race alone. The event attracted attention from across the world, with a global broadcast audience of millions.

Officers and staff engaged with hundreds of thousands of spectators, local residents, athletes, and protestors in towns and cities across Scotland. There were a total of nine arrests.

Operation Sceptre and Operation Lewintrick were complex and logistically challenging and I thank all officers and staff for their professionalism and dedication throughout the planning and operational delivery phases.

CLIMATE PROTESTS

A “Climate Camp” took place in Grangemouth from 12 to 17 July. A significant and multi-discipline policing operation was put in place in connection with the event.

A total of 65 arrests were made in connection with the camp and related protests and demonstrations across the country.