Armed police spotted eating in cafe alarm shoppers

SHOPPERS were left shocked after armed police sat down to their breakfast at a supermarket.

Armed police spotted in Highland cafe having breakfast. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The four officers were carrying handguns when they sat down to their meal in view of startled customers.

But Police Scotland have insisted their officers were doing nothing wrong at the Tesco store in Dingwall, Highlands, on Sunday.

One customer who was eating in the store’s café said the officers just casually walked into the store and spent around 30 minutes in the staff cafe while carrying the weapons.

The staff café is visible from where customers are served at the main café counter.

The customer added: “My concern is if a little old lady or family is in there and sees four police officers with guns they will be worried about what is going on.

“It can cause undue alarm and it’s not good for public confidence. They should be able to lock them securely in a car boot while going for breakfast.

“It’s not as if there is likely to be danger in the minute it takes to get to the café. It’s almost as if they are doing it with a certain arrogance.”

Douglas Ross, Highland and Islands Conservative MSP, said: “In the past there has been concerns raised locally and in parliament about armed officers visibly showing arms when not on call and assurances were made that this practice would not continue.

“This is a worrying incident and I expect the local force in Police Scotland to comment on the fact there were up to four officers in a Tesco store early on Sunday when there was no emergency for them to deal with.”

Local councillor Graham MacKenzie said: “I am surprised to hear this and I will be asking the local police commander what the situation was.

“I would not want local people to be alarmed by seeing this.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “These officers were doing absolutely nothing wrong.

“Police Scotland’s standing firearms authority means there is a chance that members of the public will see a small number of our officers in public places wearing sidearms.

“Armed officers must wear their sidearm while on duty at all times, but are only sent to incidents where an armed response is deemed necessary or there is an immediate threat to life.”

She added that the officers were allowed to be in the store’s staff café under an agreement with the management.

Police in the north of Scotland were first allowed to carry handguns with them at all times while on duty in 2013.

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