Scottish police monitor networking sites

Published on Tuesday 9 August 2011 17:17

SCOTTISH police are monitoring social networking sites in a bid to prevent the riots across England from spreading north of the border.

Strathclyde Police yesterday set a firm example by arresting a teenager in connection with a Facebook page which called for a riot in Glasgow. Alexander McQuarrie, 16, was detained on the south side of Glasgow in connection with a Facebook page entitled "Let's start a riot in Glasgow" which was posted early yesterday morning after riots in London spread to Bristol and Birmingham.

Police said they were now monitoring social networking sites closely and would take "decisive action" to prevent violence, but said there was no intelligence "at this time" to suggest that there was any trouble planned.

Yesterday a police spokeswoman confirmed that a teenager was being questioned about allegedly inciting others to commit acts of disorder via the social networking site.

Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: "This detention shows that we are monitoring the situation closely and we will take decisive action to prevent anyone inciting violence of any kind in Glasgow or anywhere else in the force area.

"Let there be no mistake, we are ready for any eventuality and will take any action necessary to prevent this kind of abhorrent behaviour. The action we took today should act as a strong warning to anyone who is thinking of causing trouble here."