An embarrassment

So chief inspector Stuart Clemenson’s strategy for policing Up Helly Aa has, on his own admission, been a success. His ego knows no bounds.

As someone involved in the festival in various roles for over 50 years, his actions only served to reduce my already low opinion of the current local police force.

The population of Shetland, and most especially Lerwick, know exactly how to conduct themselves without the aid of hi-vis and blue lights. The actions of the police on Up Helly Aa day were an embarrassment to Shetland when the eyes of the world were on it.

Up Helly Aa is famous for being an event where the local community works together to ensure a safe and well organised festival. That someone should use their authority to overrule this with heavy-handed ignorance is an utter disgrace.

John Waters
Lerwick