SCOTLAND’S most senior police officers are calling for local communities to be given the legal right to decide whether sectarian marches can pass through their areas.

They also believe that organisers should have to give 28 days’ notice — instead of seven days as at present — of a march and that councils should be able to hire private security firms to maintain order.

The recommendations are outlined in a document from the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland to Sir John Orr, the former chief constable of Strathclyde, who is carrying out a review of marches and parades for the Scottish executive.

Chief constables want a change in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to compel councils to consult local residents, shopkeepers and other religious groups before approving marches.

At present the law does not give local communities any say in whether a march goes past their houses. The proposed changes would give them a role in determining the route and timing of processions, including whether to ban them.

It is envisaged that members of the community would be invited to submit written concerns to the council and public meetings would be held to gauge local opinion.

Orr is to deliver his report to ministers by Christmas.

Each year there are more than 600 marches and parades across Scotland. At least half are organised by the Orange Order, mainly in the west of the country. Most loyalist marches take place in the “marching season” between June and August.

The annual James Connolly march, organised by republicans, is one of the largest.

Some processions have been condemned by the Catholic church, which says that marchers hurl abuse at and intimidate parishioners.

This year about 30 officers were drafted in to protect St Mary’s church in Calton, east Glasgow, after three marchers tried to kick a door down, and three people were arrested for public disorder offences at a republican march in Wishaw.

Police hope that the number of marches will be capped to free up resources.

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