Libor Scandal Cash Awarded To Scottish Mountain Rescue

Volunteers who keep people safe on Scotland’s hills and mountains are to get a cash boost from the police.

Police Scotland has secured money released by the Government from Libor fines on banks.

That means a further £60,000 is being awarded to Scottish Mountain Rescue in addition to the amount already provided annually.

The funding boost recognises the valuable role volunteers from all walks of life play in responding to incidents.

In October 2014, HM Treasury announced that the UK Government was allocating nearly £10m to help support emergency services personnel sourced from the Libor fines.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice agreed that a proportion would be made available from Scotland’s share of these funds to the Scottish Police Authority.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, lead officer for Operational Support, said: “Mountain rescue teams perform a vital task in helping to keep people safe in Scotland’s incredible outdoor environment.

“Through the allocation of Libor funding, we are pleased to be able to provide further financial support.

“It doubles our commitment financially in 2014/2015 to mountain rescue teams, whose members volunteer to go to the assistance of others when they get into difficulties on Scotland hills and mountains.

“They work closely alongside the emergency services and other response agencies such as the military and often operate in the most difficult of conditions on the toughest terrain in the country.

“While thousands of people take to that terrain in the pursuit of leisure and enjoyment, the mountain rescue team members are all too often called upon, at a moment’s notice, when things go wrong. They are an excellent example of dedicated and highly-skilled volunteers who perform a valuable public service. The additional funding recognises that service.”

Figures from Scottish Mountain Rescue show that during 2013, there were 586 mountain rescue incidents and 55 fatalities, including eight relating to avalanche incidents.

Assistance was provided to a total of 721 people – 232 of whom were injured.

There are more than 1,000 mountain rescue volunteers in Scotland and in 2013 they committed more than 28,000 hours to providing assistance on the mountains and hills. There was almost 3,000 hours of police time committed to mountain rescue incidents in 2013.

Simon Steer, Chair of Scottish Mountain Resue, said: “We are delighted that Police Scotland has secured this funding for Scotland’s Mountain Rescue Teams. Our voluntary Mountain Rescue Teams provide a world class service, free at the point of delivery, that is available any day, at any time and in any weather. Our Teams are, however, increasingly stretched as the number of incidents we respond to has increased, whilst fund raising becomes ever more challenging. Police Scotland’s support is therefore much appreciated as we work through another busy year of rescues.”

John Foley, Chief Executive of the Scottish Police Authority said: “This additional funding will provide a welcome boost for organisations like Scottish Mountain Rescue which complement the daily work of Police Scotland in keeping people safe. This extra support has been made possible as a result of the Scottish Government’s share of libor fines on UK banks, and we are pleased to have been able to direct funding towards these key partners of policing in Scotland.”