MP's anger over armed police in Highlands
Local MP Danny Alexander has told Holyrood that the Highlands is “no place for armed police”.
Traditional Highland policing had “taken another blow” this week with the SNP’s centralised police force equipping Bobbies with fire-arms.
National press were reporting that officers were being supported by fire-armed specialist when monitoring revellers on a night out in Inverness.
Highland MP Danny Alexander said: “This development is distressing and many Highlanders, myself included, will be shocked by the new police tactics.
“We are lucky to live in one of the safest parts of the UK and the SNP’s new centralised police force seems hell bent on bringing anti-riot mounted units and armed police to the Highland Capital.
“Before Northern Constabulary was disbanded, there was a secure armed unit ready to respond in a crisis. There is simply no need for officers to carry fire-arms in the Highlands.
“The SNP government is becoming more and more remote to people in the Highlands.
“Ministers need to listen to Highlanders and return to the approachable community based policing that we want and need.”