Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Sarah Hilley

Glasgow Orange walk needed more than 900 police officers on patrol

Police had to devote more than 900 officers to patrol a single Orange Order parade in Glasgow earlier this year, it has emerged.

Police Scotland assigned hundreds of officers during the Battle of the Boyne walk on July 2.

It is understood the force also had to pay for the cost of policing of the march.

READ MORE: Glasgow Ukrainian refugee ship 'close to capacity' with more than 1,000 on board

The annual Protestant celebration reportedly saw about 7,500 marchers taking part to mark the anniversary of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne.

Officers accompanied marchers playing instruments and carrying banners and flags through the city streets.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Policing notified processions is a statutory duty. Each procession is policed proportionately and appropriately.”

According to guidance, policing notified processions are a statutory duty, meaning costs are met by Police Scotland - with the Orange Order not contributing.

The staff numbers used to police the march were presented during a quarterly Greater Glasgow report from Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland at a Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting last week. The update covered the period July to September.

The Police Scotland report said: “There were 34 processions during the period, including the Annual Boyne Parade, which required a deployment of over 900 officers of varying ranks and specialisms.

"We further facilitated a Grand Black Chapter procession which required a significant policing deployment due to the number of participants and feeder parades."

The report added: “Within this period one Loyalist and one Republican procession each required a Public Order structure to be put in place to safely manage counter protests, protecting the right to assembly while preserving order.

"We continue to focus on proportionately protecting the rights of individuals to assemble and protest, with the rights of our wider communities.”

READ NEXT:

Glasgow Ibrox residents delight at Christmas tree campaign success

Glasgow police attacked by quad bike riders during bonfire night trouble

Glasgow Silverburn shopping centre to get new luxury electric car show room

Glasgow pupils mental health being hit by exams, poverty and social media

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.