Scottish police were sent south on Wednesday as reinforcements for London officers trying to maintain calm in the capital.
Tayside and Fife were not involved in Wednesday’s backup operation, but Grampian Police did send officers to London to the alarm of commuters in Dundee.
Grampian riot police in convoy stormed the dual carriageway with lights flashing and sirens blaring.
“I thought there was a major incident on the go when I saw five minibuses clearly marked with the Grampian Police crest flying up the A90 towards the Kingsway,” said one commuter.
“I thought the riots had started in Dundee and they were reinforcements for the city it made me very worried about what I would come home to and I kept listening to the news, but there was nothing about Dundee.
“I first spotted the vans coming up the main road near Morrisons. They had put on their blue flashing lights and sirens as they sped past queues of traffic on to the Kingsway around 8.30am.
“Now it seems the officers were rushing to get to work hundreds of miles away in London and activated their emergency signals for what appears to be no other reason than getting through the rush-hour traffic congestion.”
A spokesman for Grampian Police confirmed the officers were not diverted on their journey south to assist with an emergency in the Dundee area, but declined to speculate on whether the emergency signals were being used to get through the Dundee traffic quickly.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that Grampian Police officers were responding to a mutual aid request from forces south of the border. While officers were not responding to a local emergency call, they were utilising blue lights while travelling south in order to safely meet a national operational deadline.Disruption”As in all other duties, the officers concerned are aware of the need to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of all road users.”
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) declined to give details of numbers and forces involved in yesterday’s operation.
It is understood both Tayside and Fife Police sent officers to assist forces in the north of England in connection with disturbances there, but Tayside and Fife were not involved in the backup that went to London on Wednesday.
ACPOS played down suggestions further trouble was on the horizon and more officers were being sent to quell anticipated riots.
It is understood the extra officers are being sent to maintain the high level of police officers on London’s streets.
Chief Constable Kevin Smith, president of ACPOS, said: “ACPOS continues to work closely with colleagues in ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) to co-ordinate mutual aid across forces as long as it is required.”
He continued: “The Scottish Police Information and Co-ordination Centre (S-PICC) will continue to monitor the situation and provide further support where necessary.
“The vast majority of our 17,000-plus officers remain in Scotland. While there is nothing to suggest that similar incidents to those we have seen in England will arise here, we are not complacent and will respond robustly if required.”