In February 2024, the Prime Minister met senior policing leaders to discuss how the Police service could be supported to protect the democratic process from intimidation, disruption or subversion. The Home Office, National Police Chiefs Council, Association of PCCs and College of Policing thereafter agreed the Defending Democracy Policing Protocol.
As a result, local councillors will have a named Police contact. These Force Elected-Official Advisors (FEOAs) will act as named Police contact for raising concerns and liaising on security, regarding issues involving any elected officials under Operation Ford. Police Scotland has 2 FEOAs and will be assisted by local officers in all 13 Policing Divisions across Scotland.
What is an Operation Ford incident?
An Operation Ford incident is: “Any act committed against a serving elected official including Police & Crime Commissioners, elected Mayors and local Councillors or a Candidate for any of those roles in an election, where it is reasonable to believe that the act has been committed with the intention of intimidating or harassing the elected official or candidate in connection with his or her official position or potential future position”.
As of 1st March 2025, please only quote ‘Operation Ford’ when calling 101 / 999 to report an incident that relates to your position as a councillor.
Where a risk is reported Police Scotland will offer an enhanced service, in support of defending democracy, as described within the Defending Democracy Policing Protocol.
Police Scotland Briefings
In recent months Police Scotland has offered regular online security briefings. There is still one briefing to be held on Tuesday 29th of April 2025, which Councillors are encouraged to attend. You can find the joining link below alongside further information about the briefing.
Date / time: Tuesday 29 April 2025, 11:00 hrs
Joining link: https://policescotland.webex.com/policescotland/j.php?MTID=m020b642d63f7ce1d719886eaaf033c7e
Please note: The briefings are identical, therefore if you have already attended one there is no need to attend another. To prevent any IT issues please ensure that cameras are kept off and microphones muted.
Concerns can also be raised to SCDElectedOfficialsFord@Scotland.police.uk (this is not instead of a police report).
If Elected Members have any questions about this, please contact: corporatepolicyteam@cosla.gov.uk.