By Dave Lord

INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS are doing all in their power to assess the potential for a terrorist strike during this summer’s G8 Summit at Gleneagles.

Tayside Chief Superintendent Brian Powrie admits that the scale of the police operation surrounding the event is unprecedented and insists the force is very much alive to the possibility of protest.

“The challenge for us is to make the summit in Scotland...successful from a security and public order point of view,” he said.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the police force in Scotland. It is a chance to show how capable and professional we are.”

Although the announcement that Gleneagles would host the summit came as a surprise to many, Mr Powrie had been working on the project for months, developing a major operation that is now swinging into action.

All eight Scottish forces will be involved in policing the July 6 to 8 event, with assistance from officers from England and Wales.

Up to 3000 journalists are expected to descend on Gleneagles, where the G8 heads of state are set to discuss everything from climate change to the African AIDS crisis.

Protestors are also likely to make their voices heard and the police are planning a “search and seal” operation in a bid to minimise any threat of terrorism.

“The police service supports peaceful, law-abiding protest and we are willing to work with people who want to do that,” Mr Powrie commented.

“What we will not stand for is criminal activity and violence.

“Any form of unlawful behaviour will be dealt with using the full force of the law.

“Our intelligence officers are doing a thorough job in assessing the potential public order and terrorist threat.”

Mr Powrie said that officers across the country would continue to work hard to ensure the summit passed off without adverse incident.

“The police service is a vast resource in terms of ability and experience,” he said.

“We are drawing on a huge range of expertise that is available across the UK forces to cover every detail.”

Tayside Detective Superintendent Colin McCashey is in charge of intelligence ahead of the summit.

“The provision of accurate intelligence is central to the success of the police operation,” he said.

“It is a task we in Tayside cannot do alone and we are working closely with other police forces and government agencies throughout the UK.

“We are also doing a lot of work with the other G8 nations and other countries.

“This is a truly international effort.”