Police reveal size of Pope operation

Details of the massive operation to protect Pope Benedict XVI as he travels through Scotland on Thursday were revealed by police chiefs today.

Crowds of around 100,000 are expected to welcome the Pope as he arrives in Edinburgh for a reception with the Queen before taking Mass in Glasgow later in the day.

More than 1,600 officers will be involved in policing crowds and securing the safe journey of the Pope's entourage through the central belt via the M8.

Strathclyde Police, Lothian and Borders Police and British Transport Police (BTP) have been planning the operation for around six months.

They said they are confident the co-ordinated approach will help things run smoothly on the day.

Speaking in Glasgow, Iain Livingstone, Lothian and Borders assistant chief constable, said policing large-scale events such as the G8 at Gleneagles meant the forces were well-prepared for the Pope's visit.

He said: "Between us, we've got enough resources and experience across the ranks to deal with this."

Asked if there was a precedent to Thursday's operation, Mr Livingstone said: "I don't think there is, in terms of the size and the numbers.

"The size of it and the fact that we are trying to do it as one really underlines how closely the forces have been working, along with BTP.

"It has been a very close operational planning exercise. We are hoping it's going to pay dividends on the day."

The first-ever state visit by a pope to the UK starts in the Scots capital, where he will be greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Holyroodhouse Palace.

First Minister Alex Salmond will attend, along with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

At the same time, thousands of people are expected to take part in a St Ninian's Day Parade in Princes Street to mark the feast day of Scotland's first saint.

The Pope will then travel to Glasgow to celebrate mass at Bellahouston Park.

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common of Lothian and Borders, tactical commander of the event, said the M8 motorcade would far exceed that of a royal visit.

Around 15 vehicles will make their way along the M8 motorway escorted by police motorcycles, with the entourage passing under more than 50 bridges on the route.

Police, who are keen to minimise disruption to motorists, said bridges will not be closed to traffic but footbridges will be shut off to pedestrians for security reasons.

Strathclyde Police said two groups had voiced their intention to demonstrate on the day. There are expected to be demonstrations by the Orange Order and the Atheist Society in Edinburgh.

Mr Livingstone said: "There's no specific intelligence suggesting any overt threat or anything of that nature.

"There's a recognition of the right to protest and, therefore, we are seeking to facilitate that as best we can, but without in any way taking away from the events of the day."

Fiona Taylor, assistant chief constable of Strathclyde Police, said: "It's important to make sure there's a proportionate level of security around the Pope and his entourage right across the country.

"We want the level of policing from here right through to Hyde Park to be generally similar.

"We've got a couple of groups who have intimated a desire to protest, one Catholic, one Protestant.

"We are set up to allow them to make their points and we've got every anticipation that they will do that peacefully."