Police ‘confident’ in resources and planning ahead of Commonwealth Games

A police chief has said he is “confident” in the resources and planning ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Police Scotland, British Transport Police and Glasgow 2026 event organisers said on Friday they are ready to welcome visitors to the city for the Games next week, with a policing and security operation already in place.

Speaking to the Press Association, Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Gerry Corrigan, silver commander for the policing operation, said there are enough resources to keep the Games safe while still providing “excellent” policing across Scotland.

“I’m really confident that I’ve got the resources that I need to support the Commonwealth Games and deliver a safe and secure Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“But I’m also confident as well that we can continue to deliver a really effective and excellent policing service across the communities of Scotland during this busy time.”

Mr Corrigan said Police Scotland has been planning for the event for the past 18 months.

“We’ve been really considered in terms of how we resource the operation, and we’ve been able to flex resources from across Scotland to work at the Games,” he said.

“Because of that, what we’ll be able to do, and what I can give assurance around, is that we will absolutely continue to be able to deliver excellent policing services across Scotland during this busy time within Glasgow.

“Over the next couple of weeks, what we’ll see is a really busy Glasgow with all the spectators that are coming to watch this fantastic event of the Commonwealth Games.

“Our real focus is to make sure that all those people that are coming to enjoy the Games have a really safe and positive experience as they move through the city, move through the transport network, and out to the venue.”

British Transport Police Chief Superintendent Lorna McEwan said the UK national threat level for all forms of terrorism is “severe”, but there is no specific threat to the Games.

“What we’ve done for at least the past 18 months is work with our colleagues, in tandem in Police Scotland and with a dedicated planning team, to make sure we’re putting in a proportionate but robust policing plan to make it safe but really welcoming for people to come to Glasgow,” she said.

“We’ve planned to have dedicated people coming to work the Commonwealth Games, so that we can leave our business-as-usual resources doing the day-to-day policing.

“So, for people on the rail network, they’ll see what I call the day-to-day officers doing what they normally do, but it’ll be an enhanced policing response on top of that to make sure that it’s safe for people.”

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games takes place from Thursday July 23 to Sunday August 2 at four venues across the city, with a fan zone at Kelvingrove Park.

Games fans, visitors to the city and residents are encouraged to help keep Glasgow safe and report any suspicious activity to an event steward, staff member or police officer, or report online at gov.uk/ACT.

For incidents on the rail network, text British Transport Police on 61016. In an emergency, dial Police Scotland on 999.