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Kenny MacAskill statement expected on armed police Kenny MacAskill statement expected on armed police
(about 4 hours later)
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is expected to make a statement to MSPs later on the issue of police officers routinely carrying handguns.Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is expected to make a statement to MSPs later on the issue of police officers routinely carrying handguns.
Police Scotland has said the deployment of a small number of armed officers was needed "to address a risk".Police Scotland has said the deployment of a small number of armed officers was needed "to address a risk".
But politicians from the Highlands and Highland Council have raised concerns about the issue.But politicians from the Highlands and Highland Council have raised concerns about the issue.
Petitions opposing the policy have also been started by MP Danny Alexander and the Inverness Courier newspaper.Petitions opposing the policy have also been started by MP Danny Alexander and the Inverness Courier newspaper.
Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has said a routine review of the policy would take place in September, but Police Scotland has also said that the operational decision was unlikely to change in the near future.Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has said a routine review of the policy would take place in September, but Police Scotland has also said that the operational decision was unlikely to change in the near future.
Analysis by BBC Scotland's Home Affairs Correspondent, Reevel Alderson
Out of a total police strength of 17,318, only 275 officers routinely carry guns while on duty.
But even this number does not reflect the number of armed officers on the streets at any one time, since shift patterns and leave reduce it further.
The officers carrying weapons are members of the armed response unit, ready to attend a firearms incident immediately.
Police say when they are not deployed on active firearms duty, they carry out normal policing duties - although they still carry their side arms.
The policy was introduced by the former Strathclyde force in 2008, and followed by Tayside in 2009 and Northern Constabulary just before the single force was created in 2013.
Police say the areas covered accounted for 60% of the Scottish population.
But critics point out the widening of the policy comes after figures for 2012-13 showed firearm offences had fallen by 32% to the lowest for 10 years.
Homicides, attempted murders and robberies in which firearms were involved were all down too.
Strathclyde Police, Tayside Police and Northern Constabulary allowed specialist officers to carry guns routinely before the creation of a single force in Scotland.Strathclyde Police, Tayside Police and Northern Constabulary allowed specialist officers to carry guns routinely before the creation of a single force in Scotland.
Police Scotland has adopted the approach across the country since its launch in April last year and it has included the use of a small number of firearms officers in the Highlands.Police Scotland has adopted the approach across the country since its launch in April last year and it has included the use of a small number of firearms officers in the Highlands.
Following a meeting with Highland councillors last month, divisional commander Ch Supt Elaine Ferguson said the policy was unlikely to change.Following a meeting with Highland councillors last month, divisional commander Ch Supt Elaine Ferguson said the policy was unlikely to change.
She said armed police deployments were an operational decision made by the chief constable and there was not a requirement to consult publicly on the move.She said armed police deployments were an operational decision made by the chief constable and there was not a requirement to consult publicly on the move.
"I cannot say it will never change, but it's there to address a risk that is there," added Ch Supt Ferguson."I cannot say it will never change, but it's there to address a risk that is there," added Ch Supt Ferguson.
Mr MacAskill previously spoke on the issue in the Scottish Parliament in May.Mr MacAskill previously spoke on the issue in the Scottish Parliament in May.
He said it was necessary for trained firearms officers to be readily available to respond quickly to "urgent and unexpected threats".He said it was necessary for trained firearms officers to be readily available to respond quickly to "urgent and unexpected threats".
Mr MacAskill said Police Scotland has 275 firearms officers - 1.6% of Police Scotland's personnel - and they were deployed on a shift pattern basis.Mr MacAskill said Police Scotland has 275 firearms officers - 1.6% of Police Scotland's personnel - and they were deployed on a shift pattern basis.
He added: "Consequently, only a small number will actually be deployed across our communities at any one time."He added: "Consequently, only a small number will actually be deployed across our communities at any one time."
The justice secretary also said that the police authority and police investigation and review commissioner could review the deployment of firearms officers.The justice secretary also said that the police authority and police investigation and review commissioner could review the deployment of firearms officers.