More than 900 officers had to be deployed to patrol a single Orange Order parade in Glasgow this year, it has been revealed.
Police Scotland sent out almost 1,000 officers during the walk. It is believed the force also had to fork out to cover the cost of policing the march itself.
The annual walk reportedly saw about 7,500 marchers come together to mark the anniversary of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, GlasgowLive reports.
Marchers played instruments and carried banners and flags through the city streets, with officers accompanying them at every step.
Policing notified processions are a statutory duty, meaning costs are met by Police Scotland - with the Orange Order not contributing, according to guidance.
A quarterly Greater Glasgow report from Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland at a Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting last week unveiled the staff numbers used to police the march. 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.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Policing notified processions is a statutory duty. Each procession is policed proportionately and appropriately.”
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