Four hit with air weapon pellets during Glasgow Orange Order walk

Four marchers were hit with suspected air weapon pellets during an Orange Order walk in Glasgow city centre.

Police Scotland said the procession was passing along Sauchiehall Street, near Kelvingrove Street, when the incident happened on Saturday.

Officers said no-one was seriously injured and added investigations into the “dangerous” incident were ongoing.

The Grand Orange Order expressed alarm over the incident and said it would request a meeting with First Minister John Swinney.

Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown later said the Scottish Government would meet Grand Orange Lodge representatives to discuss their concerns.

Elsewhere, four people were arrested following Orange Order processions in Lanarkshire.

The parades were part of celebrations for the County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow and Orange Lodges in Lanarkshire to remember the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

In Glasgow, thousands of participants marched from different parts of the city and converged in the centre for a parade to Glasgow Green.

Chief Supt Stevie Dolan, event commander for the annual Boyne processions, said the Lanarkshire arrests were primarily for breach of the peace and acts of anti-social behaviour.

He also confirmed no arrests were made in Glasgow.

But Chief Supt Dolan added: “We are investigating an incident on Sauchiehall Street near to Kelvingrove Street in Glasgow, where four participants in the procession were struck by what was believed to be air weapon pellets.

“Thankfully, no-one required medical assistance.

“Our inquiries into this dangerous occurrence are ongoing.”

The force said it had a “proportionate policing plan” in place and worked with partners to ensure public safety and reduce disruption to the wider community.

The senior officer said: “I would like to thank the vast majority of the participants, and the wider community, who engaged positively and behaved responsibly throughout.”

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland later released a statement expressing “deep concern over the alarming incident”.

It said: “This reckless act has escalated the level of hostility towards the Orange Order, endangering the lives of our members.

“The Most Worthy Grand Master urgently requests a meeting with the First Minister of Scotland to address this incident and the escalating tide of anti-Protestant sentiment we face daily.”

The statement called for “decisive action against these hate crimes” and called for those responsible for the “cowardly act” to be swiftly brought to justice.

Brown said: “It is deeply concerning that anyone would seek to attack a public march and put those taking part, as well as spectators and the wider public, at risk.

“Ministers condemn behaviour of this kind against any individual or organisation, for which there can be no justification whatsoever.”