Plans to bring police horses on to the streets of Inverness today and tomorrow were dismissed as a money wasting publicity stunt yesterday.
The Highland capital promises to be busy tonight for “mad Friday”, the last one before the holidays, and when hundreds of Aberdeen FC fans arrive tomorrow for an important clash with Caley Thistle.
But Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart said he was concerned that Police Scotland were bringing the horse patrols to the city, and possibly were planning a trip by ferry to Orkney.
He said: “Most people see officers on police horses as a PR exercise, although they also have an operational use in dealing with community disorder including marches, demonstrations and with football spectators attending matches.
“Obviously Police Scotland are keen to show that their different departments are a Scotland-wide resource and deployment opportunity and I commend them for this.
“However, at a time when Police Scotland have to find £190million over the next two years in budget savings, support staff jobs are vanishing and the police are struggling to maintain their own numbers, I have to question how can they justify the cost of transporting police horses to Inverness where they have never been needed before.”
He added: “I support fully our local police, but I am concerned by the speed of the changes and the cuts being made particularly to support staff roles and posts to save money.
“I understand that Police Scotland also plan to livery up or partially livery up their unmarked police vehicles to help reassure the public that there are plenty of police out in their communities.
“I have learned Highlands & Islands Division has so far partially liveried 19 Police vehicles.”
Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Julian Innes said: “While the mounted branch are used in incidents of disorder and crowd control, they are also able to provide a high visibility presence at one of the busiest times of the festive season.
“The nature of the mounted branch is very much based on engaging with the public in a style of community policing, which we have in the Highlands and islands.
“The response from the public has been extremely positive and we hope they will help in our efforts, as part of Operation Respect, to keep members of the public safe.
Regarding the police car livery Chief Super Innes said: “There is a continued demand by the public to see a higher visibility police presence on the street.
“This helps to achieve that and our aim, which is to keep people safe and provide reassurance.”