COPS were warned they could have had a “riot on their hands” over a protest in Glasgow, as the force’s response was slammed.

Concerns been raised regarding the policing of the Kenmure Street demonstration that led to the release of two men from an immigration enforcement van.

Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh were detained for eight hours on Thursday morning on suspicion of immigration offences by Home Office agents but protesters stopped them from being taken away.

Glasgow Times:

They were later bailed and released into the custody of human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar at a mosque in Pollokshields.

Now questions are being asked of Police Scotland’s methods in handling the situation, who were called in after protesters had gathered. It is not routine for cops to attend immigration raids, which are carried out by the UK Government.

Glasgow Times:

Mr Anwar, who walked with the men as they were freed, said he was compelled to attend the protest because of concerns over its policing and described the situation as a “powder keg”.

He said: “People in the local community were contacting me with concerns that the area was being swamped with police.

Glasgow Times:

“When I arrived, I spoke with senior police officers and I put to them that it was unacceptable that Police Scotland would be willing to destroy community relations that had been built up over a number of years for the Home Office.”

He said he told high-level officers their options were to release the men or use force on the protesters, which he described as “unacceptable”.

Glasgow Times:

“They would have had a riot on their hands,” added Mr Anwar.

“These are matters that seriously need to be looked at.”

Paul Sweeney, a Labour MSP for Glasgow, said cops had adopted a “militarised posture” at the protests and said the response “did seem to be disproportionate and risked driving an escalation” of the protest.

Glasgow Times:

Mr Sweeney added: “The dynamic on the ground was much more concerned about protecting the Home Office enforcement van from the picket than stewarding the crowd to preserve public order.

“It is unacceptable that it was simply left to the police to determine policy on such sensitive matters which carry such significant consequences for the welfare of the wider community.

Glasgow Times:

“The police are ultimately under ministerial control and are accountable to the democratically elected government.”

Cops guarding the van which was parked in Kenmure Street were heckled by protesters, which was immobilised by a man who had planted himself underneath.

The Home Office was also in the firing line for carrying out the raid.

Their actions were blasted as “heavy-handed” by the human rights organisation Amnesty International.

Naomi McAuliffe, programme director for the group’s Scotland office, said: “What we are seeing over and over again is ministers and Home Office officials fundamentally disregard the dignity and welfare of people, their family and the local community.”

Glasgow Times:

Mohammad Asif, head of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation was at Thursday’s protests and walked with the two men as they were released.

He accused the Home Office of “behaving like the Mafia”, adding: “The Home Office does it in a very brutal way... it’s like you’ve committed murder or rape - there are different ways to remove people without taking them from their bed.”

There were multiple flashpoints between protesters and police during the eight-hour demonstration, which drew a crowd of hundreds to the South Side, turning violent at points.

A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland does not have responsibility for immigration enforcement.

“We will, however, respond to any incident reported to us to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the local community.”

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said it was not for him to instruct the force on operational matters but stressed the separation of the responsibilities of the Home Office and Police Scotland. 

He added: "Police were in an invidious position. It is not for them to reverse the decisions of the Home Office. 

"Police have been consistent with their approach towards protest but I would encourage people not to gather. The virus is still out there, I know people’s passions are running high but the situation in Glasgow is at a critical junction."

The Scottish Police Federation, the police union, declined to comment.

The Home Office and the Scottish Government were approached for comment.