Armed response

As a retired cop I am amazed at Highland councillors and press alike complaining about armed policemen getting involved in day-to-day policing.

Having served in Glasgow city centre with only batons to defend ourselves, we were often sent by to armed hold-ups in banks, without knowing whether we would be looking down the barrel of a sawn-off shotgun, revolver, meat cleaver or knife.

Like many of my colleagues, I can assure you that it is not a situation one would wish to experience. Leave the policing to those who know best.

PC Lewis Fulton, with whom I often patrolled, sadly lost his life having been stabbed in 1994. He had attended a disturbance in the Gorbals along with other policemen. None was armed.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen House is totally correct to allow armed officers to be a back-up for routine policing, not only protecting the public but also his own officers.

Donald J Morrison

Buckie