COP26 policing operation under way as conference begins

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: "Our policing operation to support a peaceful, vibrant COP26 is well under way as conference delegates and climate change activists begin to arrive in Glasgow.

"We've been working with partners to plan and prepare for this important event and our officers and staff are on the ground, keeping people safe.

"Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation that puts our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do.

“This means that we will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest at COP26, balanced against the rights of the wider community.

"We have seen a number of peaceful protests already in and around Glasgow today.

“We will continue to provide a proportionate policing response to any protests and have been engaging with known protest groups to ensure their rights to peaceful assembly and protest are met.

"Our approach will continue to be proportionate and responsive to support the delivery of a safe and secure COP26."