NEXT year’s Lockerbie, Moffat and Lochmaben galas could all be affected by a decision to change how the police support events.
Organisers have been warned by Police Scotland that less, or even no, officers could be in attendance on their big days, due to pressure on resources.
Shows, charity events and fundraisers in the area could also be impacted.
The service recently got in contact with dozens of organisations, mostly made up of volunteers, locally to say their policing resource for future events is at risk following an internal review.
Writing to them, A/Superintendent Jim McMillan said: “I have identified that Dumfries and Galloway Police Division have so far deployed to over 100 events in 2024, and it is clear from my review there are opportunities to reduce the level of police resource required and ensure the policing plan implemented, and resources deployed is aligned to threat and risk.
“Going forward, once we are notified that an event is taking place, we will carry out a risk assessment, which will inform the event classification, and whether police officers should be in attendance at the event, by considering the scale of the event, media interest, crowd demographic, and additional factors.”
He noted that “on occasion” staff are deployed to low risk events where event safety “should be the responsibility of the event organiser or contractor such as traffic management, stewarding, first-aid, local communications, and decision making”
And he added: “From 2025, I have instructed that all local events are appropriately risk assessed and that we step away from legacy roles and responsibilities.
“This will ultimately see a potential reduction or withdrawal of police officers at local events.”
It caused an outcry and A/Superintendent McMillan this week said: “I have spoken with concerned event organisers and provided clarity on the situation.”
However, Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell is still seriously concerned and last week questioned the First Minister on the matter, as well as writing to Chief Constable, Jo Farrell requesting an urgent meeting a rethink on what he’s calling “damaging plans”.
Mr Mundell said: “This announcement, made without any proper consultation, comes as a hammer blow to many local organisations and volunteers who go above and beyond for their community.
“The idea that supporting these long running events is no longer part of the job for police is deeply concerning and speaks to the values at the heart of the single police force under this SNP Government.
“We need to see an urgent clarification that this policy will not proceed and an admission it is wrong to suggest community events are an appropriate area to cut resources.
“We cannot allow the increasingly central belt agenda of Police Scotland to destroy the valued community policing model that has long been the norm and expectation in this region.”
