Police acted professionally when faced with violent threat

On attending at the property around 3.30pm on 15 October 2019, the officers were informed that a 38-year-old man inside the property had knives and a petrol bomb.

In response to the police attempting to speak to him, the man threw various items towards the officers and made violent threats before attempting to climb onto the balcony below his flat, where he lost his balance and fell four metres to the ground.

An investigation report by the Police Investigation & Review Commissioner (PIRC) was submitted to Police Scotland in November 2019 and following the conclusion of criminal proceedings against the man, details of the incident can be published.

The report found that, following the arrival of additional public order officers who used their shields to form a barrier at the front door of the flat, police attempted to de-escalate the situation by speaking to the man. This resulted in him repeatedly striking the door with a variety of weapons and shouting that he would kill police officers and himself if they entered the property.

A short time later the man attempted to climb over the railing of his balcony to the balcony below while continuing to issue threats and throwing a large knife towards officers. He lost his balance and fell to the ground. Officers then entered the flat and found a number of items, including knives and two petrol bombs. An ambulance attended and took the man to hospital. He was later charged and convicted.

The investigation found that the man was solely responsible for the serious injuries he sustained and that the police response was necessary and proportionate. The report commended the professionalism of the officers while dealing with the man who was violent, heavily armed and acting in a threatening manner.

 You can read the report and its findings HERE.