'They get the jail': Police vow to crack down on criminality at Glasgow protests

Police have vowed to jail anyone who puts the public or officers at risk during protests in Glasgow.

The comments came ahead of a major policing operation at Glasgow Green on Saturday as hundreds attended an anti-immigration rally and counter-protest.

The force said the park posed “challenging” conditions for officers, but that the incident passed peacefully “without violence, disorder or disruption”.

One man was arrested in connection with an outstanding warrant linked to disorder at a previous protest in the city.

Police at Glasgow Green on Saturday STV News

An event organised by the Pink Ladies at the park prompted counter-protests from Stand Up To Racism (SUTR).

Prominent figures on the Scottish right, such as Reform UK deputy leader in Scotland Thomas Kerr, Reform councillor Audrey Dempsey and online personality Craig Houston, attended the Pink Ladies event.

A significant policing operation was put in place after disorder unfolded at a previous protest in the same park in July.

Police Scotland said it had “reflected” on its handling of the protest in the weeks since, which had informed its approach to the latest event.

Speaking to officers at a briefing ahead of the event, chief inspector Steven Murray said: “What I want to make clear is that if anybody comes here today and engages in criminality, presents a risk to you or the wider public, they get jail.

“Pure and simple. We have the resources to achieve that.

“You’re not here as police officers to be subjected to verbal or physical abuse or violence. It’s unacceptable.”

The two groups were contained in separate areas on the eastern side of the park with both demonstrations separated by the People’s Palace and a heavy police presence.

Chief superintendent Stevie Dolan warned of a “strong response” if there was any violence.

He added: “We know that Glasgow Green can be a challenging area for us to police, particularly if there are different groups involved. We saw those challenges on July 25.

“We have reflected on our delivery that day, and we continue to try and work with protest groups in the best way that we can so that we can make sure that they can arrive, leave safely, but also to engage in a useful peaceful protest.”

He said following Saturday’s protest: “People who wanted to come and take part in a peaceful, lawful protest have taken the opportunity to do that.

“There has been no violence, no disorder or disruption to the wider community, and I would say that’s a successful outcome both from a policing perspective and our community perspective.”

Previous disorder in Glasgow Green

Disorder in Glasgow Green in July STV News

Officers responded to “disorder, violence, intimidation and hate-motivated offences” in the city centre following planned demonstrations involving around 1,700 people on July 25.

Police chased and held back “Unite the Clans” demonstrators who ran towards an anti-fascist group, with many on both sides wearing masks.

Punches were thrown as the anti-immigration group approached anti-racism campaigners, while projectiles were thrown into the anti-racism crowd.

Helicopters circled the park, one of the city’s busiest, as police managed to separate the groups.

The disorder involving a group of approximately 100 people then moved into the city centre, and officers sealed off Oswald Street.

Police Scotland confirmed last week that a further eight arrests were made.

Six men, aged 22, 30, 30, 32, 42, and 53, and a 35-year-old female have been charged with offences including assault, possession of an offensive weapon, hate crime and breach of the peace. They are all due to appear at the city’s sheriff court at a later date.

A 14-year-old male youth will also be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration in connection with a hate crime offence.

This brings the total of arrests made in connection with the disorder to 26.