Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to the Chief Constable for Police Scotland, Sir Stephen House, to ask him to explain to the public the specific rationale behind the police force carrying side arms whilst on patrol in the Highlands.

Mr Thompson has been heavily involved on this issue for some time. He raised the matter with the Cabinet Secretary in Parliament on May 20 this year. He then met along with other MSPs, Assistant Chief Constable Higgins where the policy was described as necessary due to there being information that there was a credible threat to public safety. This led to the policy of 275 officers across Scotland having standing authority to carry firearms on routine patrol although only a small number would be on duty at any one time.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said: “In light of violent crime in Scotland being at an all-time low and as there is clearly very real public concern on this issue, it would be useful as a means of allaying the public’s fears and for transparency on the matter, if Sir Stephen would elaborate further on the specifics behind this policy”.

Dave concluded: “I have written to Sir Stephen House explaining that I think it would be meaningful if the public were made privy to the specific underlying reasons behind the firearms policy being applied in the Highlands. I appreciate it is a sensitive matter, however having met Sir Stephen earlier in the year, I know him to be a reasonable man and as such, I look forward his response”.

Note:

The letter sent today (15th July) to Sir Stephen House