Major events
If you want police help for a major event, read our advice and learn how to get support. You can also report it to us online, by phone, or in person
What major events are
Major events are any pre-planned, large-scale events with a lot of people attending. This can include:
- sporting events
- pop concerts
- political events
What we do at major events
The safety and security at any event are the responsibility of the event organiser.
They might ask for our support, as well as other organisations. When we’re asked to help, our aim is to keep people safe.
We have a lot of experience policing high-profile, major events. These include the:
- 2014 Commonwealth Games
- Open Golf Championships
- COP26
- Cycling World Championships
- death of Her Majesty the Queen
How to report terrorism
If it’s an emergency
Call 999 now if:
- someone's in danger
- you need help now
- an incident is happening now or about to happen
Call 999 BSL if you use British Sign Language (BSL).
Do not go near the suspects or try to stop them. You may put yourself in danger.
If it’s not an emergency
If it’s not urgent, or it’s not related to terrorism, you can report it online, by phone, or in person.
Report it using our online form
Learn how you can report a crime to us
If you think it could be related to terrorism, you can:
- call the counter-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321
- report it online to the Security Service (MI5) (phone: 0800 111 4645)
- report it online to Action Counters Terrorism on GOV.UK
- report information, pictures, or videos to the Home Office if they promote terrorism
What to do if an incident happens
If terrorism happens
Read our advice about terrorism for what to do if there is a firearms or weapons attack.
If something else happens
If another crime happens and you do not want to report it to us, you can:
- try to remember as much about the person who did it as you can (for example, their clothes, hair colour, and accent)
- report it to us
- report to Crimestoppers anonymously
- report it to a third party reporting centre if you think it might have been a hate crime
Get support from other organisations
You can get support from other organisations:
- Victim Support Scotland gives support and information to anyone affected by crime or has to go to court (phone: 0800 160 1985)
Travel updates
For support with travel and up to date travel advice, you can get help from:
- Traffic Scotland for live road updates for the thirty major trunk roads
- Scotrail for train times and updates
- Your local council can help with stray dogs and animal licenses
Counter terrorism
For advice on spotting signs of terrorism and how to prevent it, you can get help from:
- Counter Terrorism Policing for information on current threats and efforts to reduce them
- National Protective Security Authority for advice on how to keep your business or building safe against terrorism
- ProtectUK for free security advice for businesses and communities to protect against terrorism
How to prevent a terrorist incident
You can read the Recognising Terrorist Threats guide by the National Protective Security Authority to find out the signs of a terrorist threat.
If you see anything suspicious, report it. It could save lives.