A safe and good-natured Cop26 so far - let's keep it that way say police

Police Scotland says disruption has been kept to a minimum

Author: Rob WallerPublished 2nd Nov 2021
Last updated 2nd Nov 2021

A Police Scotland chief says he hopes the protests surrounding the Cop26 summit in Glasgow remain good natured and is declaring the massive security operation around world leaders on Monday a success.

More than 120 political leaders have flown in for two days of talks at the climate summit and they’re staying at locations across the central belt, with US President Joe Biden based at the Dalmahoy Country Club near Edinburgh and Prime Minister Boris Johnson understood to have been overnighting in at an estate in Ayrshire.

Huge motorcades have been escorted along the M8 to the venue.

'Safe and successful'

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: "Throughout the 18 months of preparation for COP26, Police Scotland has consistently said its aim is to deliver a safe and peaceful event for heads of state, delegates, protesters and members of the local community alike.

"We have seen the safe and successful arrival of more than 120 world leaders at the conference for the opening event.

"A variety of protests have taken place with a minimum of disruption. The majority have been good-natured. These have been policed proportionately and appropriately, balancing the rights of protesters and the needs of residents and businesses in the surrounding areas.

“While it is still early days, we are grateful to everyone involved for the continuing good-natured mood today, and we urge everyone involved to continue in this fashion.

“Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and we put the values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights at the heart of everything we do.

Cop26 protests so far

Greta Thunberg at a rally in Glasgow

Young speaker at Greta Thunberg rally

Protest in George Square at Cop26

Extinction Rebellion march reaches the Squinty Bridge near Cop26 venue in Finnieston

Protesters at the Greenwash march organised by Extinction Rebellion

Giant pokemon characters coal protest at Cop26

Tree man on stilts at Cop26 Extinction Rebellion protest in Glasgow

Cop26 protest on the steps of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

An activist taking part in a protest outside the Cop26 venue on the last day of climate talks

WATCH: Cop26 takes over Glasgow

Erskine Bridge disruption

Although protesters have yet to attempt to blockade any main roads, one of the key transport links across the River Clyde – the Erskine Bridge – was closed for around two hours as the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior defied official advice not to sail to Glasgow.

The bridge was closed on public safety grounds due to concerns about the tiny clearance between its masts and the structure.

ACC Ritchie commented: “Action to facilitate the passage of the Rainbow Warrior was taken in consultation with the harbour authority and in-line with Police Scotland’s approach to facilitate peaceful protest during the course of the conference.

“The ship is now docked at the King George V docks in Glasgow. This area is not within the exclusion zone in place for COP26.

“As the vessel has not breached any of the COP26 restrictions, any subsequent action or investigation will be led by the harbour authority.

World leaders at Cop26

Angela Merkel arrives at Cop26

Other prominent climate activists and leaders were taking part in negotiations. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met young climate campaigners Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate and called on leaders to "put their egos aside" to work on the common issue of solving the climate crisis.

Boris Johnson waits to greet leaders at Cop26

Boris Johnson at the Cop26 Action and Solidarity session

Prince Charles and Joe Biden at Cop26

French president Emmanuel Macron at Cop26

Nicola Sturgeon at the Cop26 World Leaders Summit

Boris Johnson at Cop26

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