OLECG update

The multi-agency Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group (OLECG) has met after the terrorism threat level in the UK was raised to critical.

The decision by the UK Government follows the attack in Manchester and means that a further attack could happen imminently in the UK.

OLECG brings together the emergency services, public sector agencies including Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney, transport providers and utility companies.

Chief Inspector Gordon Deans, Police Scotland area commander for Orkney, chaired the meeting.

He said: “The advice from Police Scotland is that there is no intelligence to suggest there is any specific threat to Scotland.

“The advice from OLECG partners is that services will continue to be delivered as normal to communities across Orkney, despite the increase in the UK threat level.

“Security measures that have been in place for some time in public buildings such as police stations and council officers will remain, and be reviewed as required.

“Our advice to people in our local community is to be alert rather than alarmed, to go about your daily life as usual, but to remain vigilant and report anything unusual or suspicious that concerns you to police on 101 or in an emergency 999.”

Alternatively you can confidentially call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Anti-Terrorism Hotline on 0800 789321.

Chief Inspector Deans added: “If you are travelling south, there will be an enhanced presence by armed officers at key sites in the main cities and towns in Scotland, including transport hubs such as airports and railway stations. This is to protect and provide reassurance for the public.”