| Following more than 100 arrests after clashes in Edinburgh yesterday, Tayside Police Chief Constable John Vine said he wanted police to carry out their duties in an “approachable and good-humoured fashion” during tomorrow’s planned protest march.
Mr Vine said this situation would change only if circumstances arose in which public safety was at risk and the rights of peaceful protestors were infringed.
“We want to allow the peaceful protest of the majority to take place unhindered by any rogue elements who are set on disruption and confrontation,” he said.
“We will not flinch where we encounter such behaviour, and will deal with it in a robust and measured way.”
He said he hoped there would be no repeat of scenes such as those in Edinburgh yesterday.
He said G8 Alternatives had committed themselves to dialogue and co-operation with both Tayside Police and Perth and Kinross Council.
“Events in the capital were instigated by people who flatly refused to engage with the authorities at any stage,” he said.
“Although we have had our sticking points with G8 Alternatives along the way, all sides have kept talking.”
Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Willie Bald, the strategic commander, expressed confidence that G8 planning would deliver a secure event with as little disruption to the local communities and the rest of Scotland as possible.
“We believe the security measures we have put in place are appropriate to the requirements of hosting an international event of this kind,” he said.
“The aim was to achieve maximum security for the venue with the minimum of disruption to the local and national infrastructure and with least inconvenience to the communities in the area”. |
