The successful policing of three major events, which brought almost 200,000 visitors to Angus over the summer months, has been welcomed by Angus councillors.
All roads led to Angus’s two major music festivals – BonFest in Kirriemuir and MoFest in Montrose in May – followed by The Open Golf Championship at Carnoustie in July which attracted a world-wide audience.
The policing of The Open was praised by Brian Boyd, Independent councillor for Carnoustie and District.
Speaking at a meeting of Angus Council’s scrutiny and audit committee, he thanked the local Police Scotland team who worked alongside counter terrorist units to keep the public safe.
He said: “I would like to thank our local police officers who ensured the event went so well.
“The counter-terrorist work was done discreetly.”
He said the location of the golf course was perfect for policing, given the close proximity of parking, train station and Dundee airport.
Councillor Boyd was addressing Chief Superintendent Paul Anderson, Divisional Commander for Tayside, who gave an update on local policing policies for the quarter from April 1 to June 30 2018.
Commenting on The Open Mr Anderson said he was “absolutely delighted” at how the policing had gone.
He said: “It was a real community effort. We were working with the R&A and counter-terrorist unit.
“There is to be a debrief in September and we will take everything on board for when The Open comes back to Angus in a few years’ time.
“It was a terrific event.”
He also praised the organisers of the two major, three-day music events which bring thousands of music-lovers to Angus at the beginning and end of May.
DDB Music’s BonFest pays homage to Bon Scott, former lead-singer of AC/DC who spent his early childhood in Kirriemuir, and the MoFest committee runs the popular music festival in Montrose which also attracts thousands of supporters.
In his report Mr Anderson said officers supported both events.
“These were well run and credit is deserved for the organisers and planners,” he said.
“The effective partnership approach ensured there were very few incidents during and after the events and directly contributed to keeping people safe and reducing vulnerability.”
