Police working in 'soiled uniform' after Govan riots

Officers are being made to work in soiled uniforms after having human waste thrown on them at incidents last weekend, according to a Police Scotland chaplain.

Reverend Neil Galbraith made the claims in a public letter addressed to Scottish Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf, detailing some of the conditions faced by police officers.

Mr Galbraith, minister of Cathcart Old Parish Church in Glasgow, told how cops had been called to deal with sectarian riots, an attempted murder outside a mosque, football matches and other political gatherings in the city within the last week.

He wrote: "Our officers are under equipped, require more resources, and are being asked to face too many challenges without the right requirements to undertake the tasks being placed upon them.

"Over the last five days public order officers have had to wear in some cases their same special suits day after day after day.

"There has not been enough time to have them washed and dried never mind a change of required dress wear. Some were covered in human waste thrown at the officers.

"Officers have stood for hours at crime scenes in pouring rain soaked to the skin, because they did not have the time to collect waterproof clothing.

"Meals have been missed, abuse has been thrown at them in the extreme, and our force animals have been called into service so much, several are tired and in need of rest.

"I fully appreciate there is no easy answer to any of my observations, and I also know that at all times the welfare of police officers and other statutory agency workers are of great importance to the government, and perhaps this has just been a more busy run, than at other times."

The reverend explained that while politicians discuss the future of the United Kingdom, he has officers in his care who are "tired and frustrated, even depressed".

He praised the Police Scotland leadership team and stated that he believes the force is the best in the UK with great officers and a special bond amongst the officers.

However, he added: "But as this weekend has shown, and the months to come will sadly prove, we need better resourcing and more officers employed.

"“Plus politicians need to come and see for themselves the challenges being placed upon the Force by the decisions they are taking, and just how demanding the job is.

"The sectarian issue is only one nightmare being faced, there are many more.

"We cannot keep going to the well, and demanding more, without replacing and improving what we are taking out, and just now we are taking too much and the resource is being drained.

"The challenges are great, and the force is second to none, but there comes a time, when somebody has got to protect and care for the police, as chaplain, and not in receipt of a police income and also a private citizen, I choose to be one of those voices."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We take the welfare of our officers and animals seriously, and this is factored in to the planning and delivery of large scale events."

Two further republican marches are set to take place this weekend after they were approved by Glasgow City Council.

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