AS THE world’s most powerful men, not to mention up to 70,000 protestors, prepare to descend on sleepy Strathearn, residents can expect the latest G8 Community Update letter to drop through their letterboxes soon.

The letters, jointly produced by Tayside Police and Perth and Kinross council, are an attempt to keep locals informed about events surrounding the summit.

10,000 of the leaflets have been produced for distribution around houses, council buildings and the G8 office at Auchterarder Police Station.

Information on the controversial local road closures, rights of way closures, council, health and bus services are all included as many of these will be affected during the three-day summit.

Contact details for the police and council are also detailed.

The letter explains a more visible police presence is set to become the norm in the run up to the July 6 to 8 event, from uniformed officers to air support, mounted police, dog handlers, road policing units and police support units.

Tayside Police Chief Constable John Vine states he will seek to accommodate the security needs of the dignitaries at Gleneagles Hotel alongside the legitimate protest rights of normal people and the need for residents to go about their everyday lives.

He states, “Our goal is to provide a safe and secure summit for the world leaders and the community, whilst facilitating lawful protest.

“The wellbeing of our local communities and members of the public is as important to us as protecting the world leaders when they arrive in Perthshire.

“I have great pride in Tayside’s police officers and I see the gathering of G8 leaders as an excellent opportunity for the Scottish police service to showcase its professionalism and ability to manage the demands of such a high profile event.

“The build-up of police staff is taking place gradually, and will increase over the next few weeks.

“The operation will be scaled down as soon as the event has concluded, with the intention of resuming normal life for local people as quickly as possible.”

Council chief executive Bernadette Malone said, “Residents suggested the newsletter as a way of keeping them informed…”