Body armour at the Scottish Parliament as security staff get tough new image

A major security review will see the gear introduced for security guards at the public entrance to the parliament in April.

Guards will also receive training in tough new "restraining techniques" to deal with visitors who become physically threatening or violent.

But staff are concerned that the body armour and restraint techniques will present a threatening image to visitors at Holyrood, going against the original intention to make it a "welcoming" building.

One Holyrood staff member said: "These vests will make us look like paramilitaries. We're always being told we are there to represent the parliament and have to behave with courtesy to people.

"It undoes all that good work if we look like Judge Dredd at the front of the building.

"We are the first people that visitors see when they come to the parliament, so what does it say about Scotland when we are all there with stabproof vests on? It hardly presents a welcoming image."

At present, security staff wear official Scottish Parliament blazers with white shirt, tie and trousers.

The Scottish Parliament confirmed to The Scotsman that the new vests and tougher restraint techniques are set to be introduced in April.

A spokeswoman said: "The reason we are introducing protective vests is because the SPCB (Scottish Parliament Corporate Body) recognises it has a duty of care and responsibility for staff who are working in areas where there is a greater risk of personal injury which could result from physical confrontation."

The decision to issue the vests comes after an incident where a member of the public was found with a lock-knife after a confrontation with a security guard at the public entrance.

However, parliament managers insisted the introduction of the armour was not linked to any particular incident.

Under the new plans, security staff will wear protective vests at two locations - the public entrance, where security screening of the public and visitors take place, and the gatehouse, where MSPs and visiting dignitaries enter.

The parliament denied suggestions that the vests would make security guards look threatening to the public.

The spokeswoman said: "The vests are not police wear, they will be designed to afford protection to staff. The vests will be designed, as far as practical, to be discreet and non-threatening to visitors."

She added: "It is our aim to introduce measures in April 2011.Staff will be briefed during a series of staff meetings and have the opportunity to ask questions."

Staff will be trained on how to calm down people who are agitated and how to restrain those thought to be a threat, she said.

A series of consultation meetings are being staged between Holyrood management and staff to discuss the changes, but security personnel have already expressed their concerns at the planned changes.

Changes to the Scottish Parliament security roster, also being introduced as part of the review, will require fewer shifts to be covered, reducing overtime payments and casual staff and saving the parliament an estimated 440,000 per year.

It is thought the shift reductions will come on days when the parliament is not open to the public.

The parliament spokesman added: "In October 2009, the SPCB agreed to carry out a review of internal security arrangements. The SPCB endorsed the recommendations from the internal review.

"When implemented, these recommendations will result in an enhanced security capability whilst achieving significant annual savings in excess of 440,000 per annum."