A team of transport cops and a heroic police dog have been awarded for their bravery after "holding the line" during violent riots in Govan.
Rival factions of Irish republican and loyalists became locked in a major stand-off in Glasgow in August 2019.
The James Connolly Republican Flute Band had been attempting to take part in what they called an “Irish Unity March” in Govan.
But that was opposed by a group of Loyalist supporters protesting at the Republican group.
Officers were faced with a full-scale riot situation at Elder Park as opposing sides threw missiles, set off flares and tried to fight one another.
A team of officers from British Transport Police were called to Glasgow’s Govan subway station after the violence erupted on the streets.
The six cops arrived without public order kit and found themselves outnumber by up to 200 people.
Despite this, the officers drew their batons and held their line as missiles and pyrotechnics "rained down" on them.
When some protesters broke off, the officers then punched forward in a line and protected Police Scotland's PSU units until reinforcements arrived.
The officers - PC John Paul O’Kane, PC Lewis Todd, Insp Raymond Smillie, PC Raymond Martin, along with police dog Storm, PC Iain Brown and T/Sgt David Howie - have now all been awarded by the BTP Federation for their actions that day.
PC Martin said: “I did feel we were in danger. But as a dog handler, I’ve got Storm out in from of me so I do have some sort of safeguard.
"We dovetailed well with Police Scotland and got the right end result. British Transport Police do a lot more than people probably recognise.
"In situations like that, we’re a police officer the same as in any other force and we have to act quickly and do what’s necessary."
