POLICE Scotland says that officers engaged with hundreds of thousands of with spectators, local residents, protestors and athletes in towns and cities across the country to ensure the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships was delivered safely.

And only nine people were arrested.

The inaugural event drew to a close on Sunday August 13 after 11 days of competition staged across Scotland.

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Over 8,000 elite and amateur cyclists took part, with organisers estimating over 300,000 spectators lined the 271km route for the Elite Men Road Race alone.

Police Scotland’s supporting role was to help the organiser deliver their event safely and securely.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams, police lead for the event, said: “The size and scale of this unique event cannot be underestimated.

“It brought into focus a complex planning model which saw around 5,000 officers deployed across 11 days supported by mutual aid, logistics and wellbeing support.

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“A policing plan was in place to maintain people’s safety, ensure the safe delivery of this event, enable peaceful protest and minimise disruption.

“Decisions about how to police protests require us to balance complex and often competing rights and issues. Campaigning and demonstration is a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life. Abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt an event that risks public safety is not legitimate protest.

“The route from Edinburgh to Glasgow for the Elite Men Road Race was a complex challenge and our officers acted swiftly and professionally to safely remove protestors - under the unique pressure of a global broadcast audience of millions - with no further disruption.

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“Officers and staff have worked extremely hard to help ensure the safe delivery of this event for everyone who attended. It has been a hugely demanding summer period for policing and many were asked to work on rest days. I want to sincerely thank them for their commitment, professionalism and support.”

Breakdown of arrests

One male driver issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice after being involved in a minor collision with a cyclist on Cambridge Street, Glasgow, on Thursday, 3 August

Two men were arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct on Cathedral Street, Glasgow on Saturday, 5 August

Four women and one man were arrested and charged following a protest impacting event safety in the Carron Valley on Sunday, 6 August

One man arrested for threatening and abusive behaviour outside the BMX freestyle park on Saturday, 12 August.

One man arrested for assault at the junction of Buchanan Street and Gordon Street, Glasgow on Sunday, 13 August 2023.