by Bill Heaney
Police Scotland officers, staff and youth volunteers have played their part in supporting the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
More than 7,500 deployments have taken place throughout the 11-day event, with 2,000 officers and staff mobilised from across Scotland to help the organisers deliver a safe and secure Games.
Every day officers were on patrol and engaging with fans, athletes, families and visitors across the city, which welcomed more than 630,000 people to venues, live sites and the Glasgow 2026 Festival.
Local Policing and specialist officers from the mounted unit, armed policing, police dogs and specialist search teams carried out daily security checks at every venue before doors were opened to thousands of people.
VIP visitors included Their Majesties The King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, First Minister John Swinney and other dignitaries.
While the Games took place, policing in Scotland’s local communities continued. Some of the work included £ 2 million worth of drugs recovered in North Lanarkshire and at the port of Cairnryan, the ongoing multi-agency response to the Cairngorms wildfire, the arrest of 15 people and ongoing investigation into significant disorder at protests in Glasgow Green, and the conviction of a man who caused death by dangerous driving in Broughty Ferry.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland, Gold commander for the policing operation, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for engaging with our officers and welcoming us into the Commonwealth community, showing the true spirit of Glasgow.
“Careful multi-agency planning took place over 18 months, as we worked closely with partners from across the city and Commonwealth Sport to support the organising company in delivering a safe and secure event.
“The message to officers and staff was to be vigilant, be engaging and be ready for anything we might need to respond to. We experienced a positive, friendly atmosphere which was warmly received by officers who enjoyed being part of it.
“The demand on policing does not stop, and I’d like to thank our officers and staff who delivered the policing operation for this event, and those who continued to police our communities and many other competing events.
“As the curtain falls on another positive Commonwealth Games for Scotland and Glasgow, I am delighted that the event was enjoyed by so many and passed without any significant criminality or disruption, while police work continued across Scotland.”
Notes
- 1,907 police officers and 91 police staff
- 7,500 deployments
- Officers were from all 13 local policing divisions in Scotland as well as national specialisms which included armed policing, mounted unit, dog unit, intelligence, counter terrorism officers, cyber-crime, protest liaison, public order, road policing, dive and marine, air support helicopter and drones, logistics team, royalty and VIP planning.
- 118 Police Scotland Youth Volunteers were on hand to help athletes and officers at events. This included the swimming, where they collected poolside kits, took race accreditation and handed out wellbeing packs to officers. Police Scotland’s youth volunteer programme aims to strengthen the relationship with the police, young people and their community.
- Over 30,000 planning hours
- 2,000 welfare packs for officers and staff
Breakdown of arrests
A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a staff bicycle that was stolen on Argyle Street, Glasgow, on 21 July, 2026. The bicycle was recovered.
A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with multiple offences including resisting arrest and possession of drugs at Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, on 23 July, 2026.
A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with flying a drone in restricted airspace at The Hydro, Glasgow, on 24 July,2026. Enquiries are ongoing.
A 32-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with having a bladed article in a public place on Eastvale Street, Glasgow, on 26 July, 2026.
A 48-year-old man was arrested and given a recorded police warning for refusing to leave licensed premises on Argyle Street, Glasgow, on 26 July, 2026.