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Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Untrained' blue light police are at risk of breaking the law by driving at night time
Hundreds of blue-light police officers risk breaking the law by driving at night because they have not received specialist training, it was claimed yesterday. New UK-wide regulations which are set to come into force by the end of the year say emergency response officers must be trained in driving at speed and during the hours of darkness. A shortage of instructors means nearly one in three frontline officers are still waiting for specialist training - and are unlikely to be fully trained in time for the expected law change. The body representing rank-and-file officers has launched a furious attack on ministers for failing to provide adequate funding for the single service – leading to a shortage of instructors. Last night Brian Jones, vice-chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), accused Police Scotland of playing 'Russian roulette' with the 'health, safety and welfare of the country's police officers'. Mr Jones said: 'There are roughly 7,900 front line cops working 24/7 on response policing. 'From that number, I would suggest that nearly 30 per cent are still awaiting their driving course – to enable them to use emergency sirens and blue lights and importantly exceed the speed limits legally if necessary to attend public emergencies. The current estimates to clear that backlog is currently somewhere in the region of six to seven years. 'I know that some areas of the country have had instances where they have no officers trained to respond to emergency situations in a police car – legally; that is scandalous.' Mr Jones said: 'When Sir Stephen House was appointed as Chief Constable, the service had 64 instructors as of 2013 - but under his tenure that dropped to around 20. 'There is only one service with a greater driver training backlog - that is the Metropolitan Police in London. 'The UK Government has legal primacy over the road safety legislation much to the annoyance of the Scottish Government. 'New laws will demand national minimum standards for training emergency responders from all blue-light services.' Mr Jones said this 'will include night driving - no one in Scotland has been trained during the night', adding: 'Legally, they will not be able to respond to emergency situations using sirens and blue lights and exceed the speed limit. 'Of course, the root cause of all this is that Police Scotland continue to be chronically underfunded by the Scottish Government and dangerous situations like this will continue to arise as long as the current financial provisions continue.' The regulations legally requiring training for high-speed and night driving are part of the Road Traffic Act 2006 which are expected to become enforceable from the end of this year. They state that the police driver is only exempt from the speed limit if the vehicle is being driven by a person who 'has satisfactorily completed a course of training in the driving of vehicles at high speed'. The row follows several fatal collisions in the UK involving emergency vehicles and members of the public. Earlier this year, the SPF claimed armed response officers awaiting training who attend emergency incidents in high-performance cars are in breach of regulations that require them to achieve minimum driving standards that came into force in November 2022. In February, the Scottish Police Authority heard that 350 armed police officers - who deal with terror attacks, murders and the highest priority calls - were waiting to complete an advanced four-week driving course at Tulliallan, the police training college. Last night Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: 'It is staggering that SNP cuts to police budgets could result in this terrifying situation becoming a reality. 'Lives will undoubtedly be put at risk if Scotland's roads are ultimately not policed overnight. 'We need officers right across the country who can respond to incidents at any time of day or night. 'If the SNP are serious about protecting community safety, then they must prioritise funding the force so that all necessary training can be completed.' Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff said: 'Communities can be reassured that our local policing teams have sufficient numbers of officers trained in emergency response skills. 'Armed response officers are already able to respond to emergencies, but we are enhancing their training even further.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE: Police chiefs back calls for more thugs to be banned following season of mayhem in Scottish football, while Justice Secretary announces public consultation over issue
Police chiefs are backing calls for greater use of banning orders on hooligans following a season of mayhem in Scottish football. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said the court-imposed orders were 'instrumental' in helping to keep the majority of well-behaved fans, players and communities safe, while David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, described them as 'a powerful tool'. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced yesterday that a public consultation on the issue will take place following talks between the Scottish Government, police, football authorities and player and fan representatives. Both the SFA and SPFL have called for more action to be taken after a season marred by illegal pyrotechnic displays and the throwing of items on to the field of play, the most serious of which saw Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie struck on the head by a chair. Assistant Chief Constable Waddell said: 'We should all be able to go to a football match and enjoy the game without fear of violence or disorder. Football banning orders can be instrumental in helping to keep fans, players and communities safe. 'There must be deterrents and that includes police enforcement, as well as sanctions from the clubs, authorities and courts issuing football banning orders. 'We are working with the Scottish Government to explore strengthening current legislation and we continue to work with the clubs and the justice system to tackle criminality together.' Kennedy, who represents Scotland's rank and file officers, said: 'Banning orders are a powerful tool and we would encourage their use to combat a minority of people who are giving football a bad name. 'They have the effect of banning individuals from the grounds which obviously doesn't mean they won't create problems in the vicinity of the venue - and we have fewer police on the ground to deal with them if they should do so. But keeping them out of the grounds is an important step and one we would support and encourage. 'The order can be imposed by a sheriff as part of sentencing - or it can be applied for by police.' Last month it was reported that just five Football Banning Orders (FBOs) were issued in Scotland between last August and February this year. That was down from 37 in the 2023-24 season and 59 in 2022-23. The orders can last up to 10 years and 'the length of the ban reflects the seriousness of the offence'. A breach can lead to a fine and up to six months in jail. Getting an order means a ban from every football ground in the UK. It also means a ban from the national team's matches, including ones played abroad. Anyone hit with a ban may also have to hand their passport into a police station when their team plays abroad - and they will have to report at a police station on the day the game is played. Specific conditions can be imposed on a case-by-case basis - but 'must be relevant to the original offence'. Bans can apply on public transport on match days, and can forbid travel to other public places such as town and city centres, railway stations, pubs, and bars which are popular with fans. Justice Secretary Constance announced plans for a public consultation on the issue after chairing a roundtable discussion which featured the SFA and SPFL, PFA Scotland, police officials, safety officers from Rangers, Celtic, Hibs and Aberdeen, Supporters Direct and the Scottish Football Supporters Association, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and local council representatives.. She said: 'The vast majority of football fans behave responsibly. However, we need to look at what more can be done to address the very small minority who continue to create disorder. 'At the roundtable, I was pleased to see a strong shared will and commitment of partners, including football clubs and authorities, fans' groups, football safety officers and councils, to work together to make football safer for fans, players and communities. 'We must all do everything possible, individually and collectively, to rid football of dangerous and harmful behaviours. 'We will publish a public consultation on Football Banning Orders legislation and how they can be effectively used to address disorder, in particular the reckless and illegal use of pyrotechnics at matches, and work closely with our partners to develop the consultation and consider next steps.' Clubs last week accepted new rules at the SFA AGM, which will allow for sanctions to be taken against them over issues at Scottish Cup matches. The tightened regulations follow similar changes in competitions run by the SPFL. Speaking last week, SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: 'We see, particularly at Hampden, if there's significant pyro use, there are a large number of supporters that have to leave the stadium because of breathing difficulties, because of safety concerns, because kids are frightened and it's those supporters that we need to look after. 'It needs us to do as much as we can, along with the SPFL. It needs the clubs to do as much as they can. It needs the police and the stewarding teams on a match day to do as much as they can. 'It needs the Crown and the judiciary system to do as much as they can. It's a real collaborative approach that's required.' Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell were all sanctioned by the SPFL for fans' pyrotechnic displays in the Premier Sports Cup last season, and the champions, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle were all hit with disciplinary notices over similar instances in league games towards the end of the campaign. Other high-profile incidents late in the season included Aberdeen player Mackenzie being injured after part of a seat was thrown on to the Tannadice pitch, allegedly by a Dons supporter, and Livingston issuing a lifetime ban to a fan who allegedly spat at then Ross County assistant boss Carl Tremarco. An SPFL statement last week added: 'As well as club bans, unwelcome incidents such as these have unfortunately made it abundantly clear that there is a need for far more widespread use of football banning orders and we are encouraged by the progress being made in partnership with our clubs, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.'
The National
3 days ago
- The National
Police make complaint over 'biased' Sheku Bayoh sign at Kelvingrove
The Scottish Police Federation has made a formal complaint to museum bosses in Glasgow about the exhibit in Kelvingrove. The body, which represents police officers, said the display of a street sign 'Sheku Bayoh Street' in the collection is 'biased' and misleading'. The street sign, which was part of a Black Lives Matter protest, was put up by Celtic ultras, the Green Brigade, who had put it up on Cochrane Street near George Square when other city centre streets were also 'renamed'. The fan group then donated the sign to Glasgow Museums. READ MORE: Sheku Bayoh Inquiry chairman accused of bias over 'secret' meetings with family Lawyers acting for The Scottish Police Federation, have now called for an explanation for the museum on how the exhibition was curated and for more details about the Sheku Bayuoh case to be provided. The letter states: 'We must formally complain that both the exhibition and its explanatory materials present a one-sided and biased account of the circumstances surrounding Mr Bayoh's death. 'Absent from the information provided to the public is any reference to the established facts before the public inquiry, including that Mr Bayoh was intoxicated with illicit drugs and alcohol at the time of his death, and that he had been involved in a violent altercation with a close friend on the morning of the incident. 'Following this altercation, Mr Bayoh pursued his friend while armed with a knife taken from his kitchen.' They added he was seen in the streets of Kirkcaldy 'brandishing this weapon'. The exhibition Legacies of Slavery and Empire is running at the museum and the SPF said it references 'the use of police violence towards local communities and suggests such practices helped Britain maintain colonial rule'. The letter on behalf of SPF added: ' The suggestion that Mr Bayoh's interaction with the police was primarily or solely a matter of police violence, or that it was motivated by an attempt to control individuals of ethnic backgrounds as referenced in relation to Tanzania, is both misleading and unsupported by the evidence.' Glasgow Life, which operates Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, said the sign is there to reflect an act of protest. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said; 'The museum scripted interpretation makes no mention of Sheku Bayoh or the circumstances surrounding his death. 'Some of the items in the Legacies of Slavery and Empire display including the sign, a placard from a Glasgow Green demonstration and newspaper headlines from the time relate directly to the Black Lives Matter Movement. 'The street sign in the exhibition was created by activists as part of the 2020 protests and was mounted in Cochrane Street by The Green Brigade. It is included in the display to reflect this act of protest.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Police brand Green Brigade Sheku Bayoh museum sign 'biased'
The Scottish Police Federation has made a formal complaint to museum bosses in Glasgow about the exhibit in Kelvingrove. The body, which represents police officers, said the display of a street sign 'Sheku Bayoh Street' in the collection is 'biased' and misleading'. READ NEXT:ABC owners brand Mack rebuild a 'pastiche' as war of words deepens The street sign, which was part of a Black Lives Matter protest, was put up by Celtic ultras, the Green Brigade, who had put it up on Cochrane Street near George Square when other city centre streets were also 'renamed'. The fan group then donated the sign to Glasgow Museums. Lawyers acting for The Scottish Police Federation, have now called for an explanation for the museum on how the exhibition was curated and for more details about the Sheku Bayuoh case to be provided. The letter states: 'We must formally complain that both the exhibition and its explanatory materials present a one-sided and biased account of the circumstances surrounding Mr Bayoh's death. 'Absent from the information provided to the public is any reference to the established facts before the public inquiry, including that Mr Bayoh was intoxicated with illicit drugs and alcohol at the time of his death, and that he had been involved in a violent altercation with a close friend on the morning of the incident. 'Following this altercation, Mr Bayoh pursued his friend while armed with a knife taken from his kitchen.' READ NEXT:Peter Krykant was brave enough to take risks because he wanted to save lives They added he was seen in the streets of Kirkcaldy 'brandishing this weapon'. The exhibition Legacies of Slavery and Empire is running at the museum and the SPF said it references 'the use of police violence towards local communities and suggests such practices helped Britain maintain colonial rule'. The letter on behalf of SPF added: ' The suggestion that Mr Bayoh's interaction with the police was primarily or solely a matter of police violence, or that it was motivated by an attempt to control individuals of ethnic backgrounds as referenced in relation to Tanzania, is both misleading and unsupported by the evidence.' Glasgow Life, which operates Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, said the sign is there to reflect an act of protest. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said; 'The museum scripted interpretation makes no mention of Sheku Bayoh or the circumstances surrounding his death. 'Some of the items in the Legacies of Slavery and Empire display including the sign, a placard from a Glasgow Green demonstration and newspaper headlines from the time relate directly to the Black Lives Matter Movement. 'The street sign in the exhibition was created by activists as part of the 2020 protests and was mounted in Cochrane Street by The Green Brigade. It is included in the display to reflect this act of protest.'
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
Sheku Bayoh inquiry told chair's independence is 'torpedoed' by family meetings
Meetings between Sheku Bayoh's family and the chair of an inquiry into his death have 'torpedoed the independence of the chair', a hearing was told. The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Roddy Dunlop KC said 'secret' meetings held several times since Lord Bracadale was appointed to head the £50 million probe in 2020 were 'spectacularly ill-advised'. He is representing the Scottish Police Federation – one of a number of groups calling for Lord Bracadale to step down – and two of the officers involved in Mr Bayoh's death. A public inquiry running since 2021 is investigating the circumstances of Mr Bayoh's death in Kirkcaldy in May 2015 and whether race was a factor. Mr Dunlop said Mr Bayoh's family had made 'inappropriate' remarks during these meetings, with Lord Bracadale claiming to have ended the meeting as a result. He said this was contradicted by the minutes of the meeting, which showed further conversation taking place. He said: 'These meetings were, almost in their entirety, completely inappropriate. 'They were doubtless well meaning, they were doubtless arranged out of the best of intentions but – and with the greatest of respect – they were spectacularly ill-advised and they have torpedoed the independence of the chair.' Mr Bayoh died in custody after a group of police officers involved in his arrest in Kirkcaldy responded to multiple reports of him in the streets with a knife. Mr Dunlop also said Mr Bayoh's family were as positioning him as 'Scotland's George Floyd'. 'The arresting officers, on the other hand, argue this was a man bent on violence, heavily intoxicated and armed with a knife – creating a clear and present danger. 'The attempt to equiparate this inquiry with, for example, the Covid inquiries or the Omagh bombing inquiry is entirely specious.' He added the fact Lord Bracadale had written to Mr Bayoh's family stating he was 'humbled and honoured' to hear from them was 'alarming'. He said it showed clear bias and that the officers were not afforded any opportunity to similarly meet with the chair. Claire Mitchell KC, representing the family, said they had the 'utmost confidence' in Lord Bracadale. She said: 'There is a preliminary matter I'd like to address and that is the idea that the meetings that the chair and others had with the family were secret – they were nothing of the sort. 'The chair mentioned in open hearing that he had met with the family, matters were stated publicly, indeed, it was even recorded in the national press. 'But perhaps rather than being surprised that the family met with the chair a question might be asked, why did other core participants not expect it? 'Because meetings with families is common place in public inquiries.' She listed a number of such, including the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, the Grenfell Tower inquiry and the Omagh bombing Inquiry. She added the legislation that governs public inquiries states not all core participants have the same rights. 'The family of Sheku Bayoh have an Article 2 right, which this inquiry as a public body itself in terms of Section 6 of the Human Rights Act must not breach. 'That duty is not held to any other core participant and it places this family in a unique position. 'It follows from that that any and all suggestions that the core participant should be treated equally is wrong. It falls into the same error as those who say they don't see colour and therefore they treat all people the same, can't have issues of race. 'The inquiry has duties to the family of Sheku Bayoh that it does not have in respect of others and the chair has made that clear repeatedly from the outset of this inquiry.' Father-of-two Mr Bayoh, died after he was detained and lost consciousness on Hayfield Road by police officers at around 7am on May 3, 2015. The public inquiry into his death, the actions of police, and whether race was a factor began in Edinburgh in May 2022. The hearing heard from members of the public who reported seeing Mr Bayoh on the streets of Kirkcaldy with a knife, including a nurse who would go on to treat him in A&E. He wasn't carrying the knife when officers arrived at the scene but a violent confrontation followed, with up to six officers restraining the 31-year-old on the ground. Former police officer Nicole Short told the inquiry she was attacked by Mr Bayoh and believed his death was 'unavoidable'. But nearby residents refuted the claim he had 'stomped' on PC Short, with a doctor noting she was not in pain. The officers were allowed to stay together in the cafeteria of Kirkcaldy police station while family members claim they were given conflicting accounts of events.
