Terror fight is a major challenge insists Strang

Published on Tuesday 1 July 2008 10:29

CHIEF CONSTABLE David Strang today warned combating terrorism remained one of the biggest challenges facing police in the Capital.

In the wake of last June's attempted bombing of Glasgow Airport, the Lothian and Borders force radically overhauled its approach to the issue, he said.

Protection has been stepped up at the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace – where the Queen is currently staying – and Mr Strang has been actively building closer relations with Muslim communities in the Capital.

He said the Glasgow attack had "brought home" in dramatic fashion the fact that Scotland was a target for extremists.

Mr Strang said tackling terrorism was one of his "key challenges" for the coming year, as he published his first annual report on crime in Lothian and Borders since taking up his post 15 months ago.

He cited an overall drop in crime of 9.4 per cent, or 7308 offences, and the improving performance of the force communication centre, which is now hitting its targets for answering calls from the public, as the most pleasing achievements.

Mr Strang said: "A little over a year ago we would not see the large barriers being erected around the palace. The attack changed how we thought about terrorism as a force, and brought home to people in Scotland that terrorism wasn't something distant.

"I see counter-terrorism as a key challenge for the next year. We are already working to engage with the ethnic community and I've visited several mosques in recent weeks."

During the past 12 months, police have been working with city businesses to deliver anti-terror training, such as spotting potential terrorists and how to deal with the aftermath of a bomb attack.

Officers use anti-terror powers to carry out 30 stop and search operations a day at Waverley and Haymarket stations, while a new major investigations co-ordination and development unit, offering counter-terror training, will open later this year.

Mr Strang said he did not believe the three shootings in the Lothians last month, including the attempted murder of businessmen Tony DeMarco at the Maybury Casino, signalled any significant change in the criminal culture in the Capital.

Jalal Chaudry, the Edinburgh and East of Scotland representative on the Muslim Council of Britain, said he met Mr Strang when he had visited the mosque in Annandale Street, Leith.

He said: "It's very important for there to be good relations between the Muslim community and the police."

&#149 Lothian and Borders Police lost more than 30,000 days to sickness among officers in the last year, new figures have revealed.

Caught in middle of piping row

THE stand-off between residents and bagpipers on the Royal Mile has left police with their hands tied, Chief Constable David Strang said.

Mr Strang admitted that it was a "difficult situation" as officers were compelled to deal with residents complaining about noise.

Bagpipers last week returned to the Royal Mile and vowed to defy the controversial police ban on busking. Officers have moved on pipers from the area and asked them to sign acceptable behaviour contracts pledging not to return.

Police say they have been forced to deal with up to 20 complaints a day about noise nuisance.

Mr Strang said: "We have to respond to these calls because people are complaining. It's a difficult situation and we'll have to see what happens."