Police Scotland is spending £1 million on new armed response vehicles (ARVs) as the terror threat escalates. The fleet upgrade was necessitated by the extensive wear and tear on existing vehicles, which operate around the clock.
The investment was disclosed in a report for the Scottish Police Authority by Police Scotland chief financial officer Sarah Roughead. The report indicated that the police fleet spending was £1.5 million over budget, largely due to the approval of additional ARVs costing £1 million.
A policing source noted that the current ARVs had not been fully modified for armed policing for over a decade, contributing to the need for replacements. These vehicles are crucial for day-to-day operations and accumulate significant mileage.
Fears of a 'lone wolf' terror attack in Scotland were recently voiced by First Minister John Swinney in a meeting with senior police chiefs. Swinney expressed concern about such a threat emerging without prior intelligence. This discussion occurred shortly after a terrorist attack in Golders Green, London, where two Jewish men were stabbed, amplifying concerns about rising anti-Semitism.
The current threat level to the UK from terrorism is classified as severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
There are approximately 15 to 20 ARVs in Scotland, with dedicated vehicles for the airports in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Prestwick. The Greater Glasgow area has five ARVs, with the remainder distributed across the country. During major events like the Edinburgh Fringe festival, ARVs are more likely to patrol the city center due to the potential for terrorist activity targeting large crowds.
These vehicles are equipped with two Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifles, each carrying 360 rounds of ammunition. The two officers assigned to an ARV are also equipped with a Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol and a Taser stun gun.
Former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher commented that the First Minister's concerns about lone wolf attacks were not surprising. He suggested that it has been fortunate to have avoided such an attack in Scotland thus far.