Police vow to respond rapidly to anti-racism protests

POLICE will respond “rapidly” to any protest disorder that may erupt in Dumfries and Galloway, according to the region’s new policing commander.

Chief Superintendent Claire Dobson spoke out last week after a wave of anti-racism demonstrations took place across the country, including one in Dumfries.

The demos followed unrest in Belfast, where racist-fuelled rioting had taken place. In response, thousands of anti-racism demonstrators gathered in Belfast and Derry, and further protests spread to cities and towns across Scotland.

The local protest in Dumfries took place at the Burns Statue and was a small, peaceful demo.

Due to tensions in this region earlier this year amid protests outside the Mercure Hotel in Dumfries, the police chief gave reassurances that the situation is being closely monitored.

Addressing councillors, Commander Dobson said: “Demonstrations were held across a number of locations in Scotland on Tuesday evening, with three males being arrested for various offences in Glasgow during the evening.

“Police also attended disruptive peaceful demonstrations in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Perth, Air and Paisley.

“Four persons attended at the Burns Statue in Dumfries, and this was a peaceful protest. The Dumfries and Galloway Division has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our communities.

“We understand there will be concern within communities and we remain committed to ensuring the safety of well-being of all communities.

“There is nothing to suggest further planned protests in Dumfries and Galloway but a policing plan is in place, and we will respond rapidly to any emerging issues.”

Commander Dobson also told councillors how the protests were handled outside the town’s Mercure Hotel earlier this year.

She explained that weekly protests began on February 20, following an incident the previous day involving claims about a phone allegedly belonging to an asylum seeker staying at the hotel.

The initial protest attracted around 150 people, with four individuals reported for disorder offences.

She said: “Given the number at the first two protests, support was received from other local policing and specialist divisions to support the policing of the protest. This ensured order was maintained and no persons were injured or property damaged at any of the events.

“Specialist police liaison officers and hate crime advisers were also deployed in the early stages of this protest activity to ensure dialogue was undertaken with protesters on the ground, and this proved extremely beneficial in terms of ensuring protests passed lawfully and with good engagement with organisers and also with those in attendance.”

She confirmed that from the third week onwards, numbers dropped considerably to around 20 people, before the protests stopped completely on March 20.