By Dave Lord

THE RESIDENTS in and around Gleneagles are perfectly comfortable with the preparations for this summer’s G8 summit and have “readily accepted” security passes which will allow them access to their homes, it was claimed yesterday.

The convener of Tayside’s joint police board, Colin Young, warned against scare-mongering in the run-up to the July event.

Mr Young, who is also a councillor for Auchterarder, has insisted it is time to trust the police and stop giving credence to the rumours.

He launched a thinly-veiled attack on politicians, including Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham, who has continually questioned preparations for the G8.

“In the last few weeks we have endured a continual barrage of speculation about certain aspects of the preparation and planning for the G8 summit,” Mr Young said.

“It has to be said that some people appear to operate on the basis of scare-mongering before they have even posed any questions to the relevant authorities. As the convener of Tayside joint police board and a councillor in the Auchterarder area I am grateful that the police and Perth and Kinross Council are working closely together to provide local people with the facts as and when they become available.”

Mr Young hopes people will act responsibly both in the run-up to, and during, the summit.

“Among the scares that have been spread around recently are the trialing of a national ID card system on the residents around Gleneagles and unsavoury comments about Tayside Police,” he said.

“Thankfully these seem to have been addressed but the negative aspects of these issues could easily have been avoided if contact had been made with the G8 community liaison officer based in Auchterarder.”

Mr Young insisted residents in the area are largely comfortable with arrangements, which include the issuing of security passes.

“The system for identification of people who need to go about their normal daily activities in this area has already been agreed and will be through the use of security passes issued by Tayside Police,” he said. “This arrangement has already been agreed with residents in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and has been readily accepted.”

Mr Young said it was “disappointing” that elected members would seek to “spread rumours.”

He said there are “responsible channels of communication” and is confident any concerns can be quickly and efficiently dealt with by the police.

“While there are bound to be some disruptions to normal life, the clearly stated remit of Tayside Police is that these will be kept to an absolute minimum.

“We should all remember that the G8 only lasts a few days while the safety and security of all the residents of Tayside is a policing priority 365 days of the year, every year.”

Mr Young’s comments come a day after Chief Constable John Vine warned those intent on breaking the law during the summit to “be afraid.”

He insisted hosting the event would not turn out to be a poisoned chalice and that it was important to “keep a level head.”