Engagement with protest groups ahead of Royal Week
Engagement with protest groups is ongoing as part of preparations for an event being held in Edinburgh on Wednesday 5 July.
The event will take place during Royal Week where His Majesty King Charles III will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral, following processions on the Royal Mile.
Police Scotland has been working with a number of key planning partners including the Scottish Government, Palace of Holyroodhouse, transport agencies and City of Edinburgh Council.
Police Scotland’s supporting role is to help the organiser deliver their event safely and securely and with dignity. One part of that is considering potential protests and a proactive engagement approach.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, police lead for the event, said: “Our priority is public safety and a policing plan is in place to maintain people’s safety, ensure the safe delivery of this significant event, enable peaceful protest and minimise disruption.
“Decisions about how to police protests require us to balance complex and often competing rights and issues.
“We have a legal duty to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest. Our human rights based approach and legislation that applies in Scotland is unique amongst UK policing.
“Campaigning and demonstration is a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life. Abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt the event that risks public safety is not legitimate protest.
“Officers on the ground have to make dynamic assessments to quickly consider whether someone’s behaviour breaches the threshold of criminality. There are a range of factors and circumstances that affect this decision making, including considering the risk that behaviour has on the safety of those at the event, as well as any triggers that may lead to wider disruption.
“Every situation is unique. Safety is our priority, balanced against people’s rights.”
There will be road closures in Edinburgh and people should plan ahead by checking with City of Edinburgh Council and Traffic Scotland on their website and social media channels. Air restrictions for drones will also be in place.
Protest groups can contact Police Scotland by emailing OSDPLO@scotland.police.uk
More information about the event can be found on the Scottish Government’s website: Scotland marks Coronation of The King and Queen - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
The Public Order Act 2023, which has recently been referred to in England and Wales, does not apply to Scotland.
