Police Scotland can't say how much was spent investigating trans umbrella row

The force previously apologised to a director of the campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS) after she was offered a recorded police warning over the incident.

Susan Smith was told she would face a charge of minor vandalism if she declined the warning, which followed a confrontation at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament on September 4.

She had been accused of damaging a rainbow-coloured umbrella that belonged to trans activist Tom Harlow, who had been playing loud music behind a protest organised by FWS.

READ MORE: Police apologise to For Women Scotland director over umbrella incident at Parliament protest

Supporters of Ms Smith said the decision to take action against her was “mind-boggling”. The police later said they were reviewing their response to the protest, which included “the complaint of an umbrella being damaged”.

In October, The Scotsman submitted a freedom of information request asking the force for a breakdown of the costs involved in investigating Mr Harlow’s complaint.

In a substantially delayed response this week, Police Scotland said this information was not held, explaining: “Police Scotland does not routinely record the costs or policing hours associated with any specific operation or investigation.”

It added: “The nature of policing means that officers are deployed to wherever their services are most required and the number of officers required throughout an investigation will constantly fluctuate.

“Officers can be involved in one or multiple investigations and can be redeployed to other duties at any given time.

“Additionally, officers will be drawn from different areas, based on their skill set and expertise, with the appropriate division meeting the cost of their core time.”

In November, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “We have completed our review into this incident and are now satisfied that no crime has been committed.

“We have written to those involved to inform them of this decision. An invitation to discuss the offer of a recorded police warning has been withdrawn and we have apologised to the individual.

“Our review into the policing of the event on 4 September is concluding and we will update any learning captured through the Scottish Police Authority.”