People causing violent disorder on the streets of Glasgow during the COP26 climate conference will be met with "physical engagement" from cops, Police Scotland has announced.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone told a COP press briefing the situation could get "quite messy" as protesters take to the streets.
World leaders, delegates, journalists and climate activists are set to descend on Glasgow on Sunday, October 31 to November 12 for the United Nation 's gathering.
Speaking alongside Nicola Sturgeon during a briefing, he said: "We will protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest at Cop26, balanced against the rights of the wider community.
"But to those intent on violent disorder and damage, to those who seek to disrupt the climate conference actually taking place, I have a clear message.
"We will respond swiftly and we will respond robustly.
"At times, and I have been clear to the First Minister on this over the last weeks and months to make this very clear and to UK Ministers, it may well look quite messy when you look at the visual images that are going to be created.
"It's so important that the rule of law that protest is legitimate and reasonable but it doesn't interfere with the working of the conference.
"Robust measures will mean physical engagement to protesters to make sure that the conference can go ahead."
At the same briefing, Sturgeon told those coming to Glasgow for protests during the summit must show consideration to residents of the city.
She said: "I want to thank the organisers of these demonstrations - as well as a number of other activist groups - for the engagement they have had with the city and with the police, to ensure that their demonstrations take place safely and securely."
She said that regardless of views on the summit, "progress will not be made if discussions are disrupted".
Sturgeon continued: "More generally - and this of course applies to all protests - I would ask that people demonstrating show consideration for the city and people who live here.
"The people of Glasgow are opening their city up to the world at what is a difficult time for everybody around the world.
"I hope those who are travelling into the city, welcome though they are, recognise that."
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