COP26 will see largest ever deployment of armed officers in Scotland

COP26, the climate change summit opening today, is expected to see the largest ever deployment of police and armed forces in Scotland. Police Scotland has said that 500 officers trained to use firearms will be joined by others from around the UK to help keep order at COP. 

One former chief constable has suggested that, in total, around 1,000 armed officers will be on duty during the conference.

COP26 will receive representatives from 196 countries and an expected 25,000 delegates over the course of the conference. And with major demonstrations and protests expected, Police Scotland has ramped up security measures across Glasgow. 

Chief Superintendent Louise Skelton has said: “There is no specific threat to the event at the moment but we continue to monitor any intelligence that comes in, and link in with the security services”.