A GREENOCK priest says he has made an official complaint over the lack of police presence in the Larkfield area on bonfire night.

Reverend Daniel McLoughlin, of St Andrew's Church, has hit out after police chiefs revealed that they had made no arrests on the evening of November 5.

Speaking at a recent Police and Fire Local Scrutiny Board meeting, former area commander Paul Cameron said there had been no trouble and that only local officers were deployed.

Those remarks have drawn a stinging response from Rev McLoughlin.

He said: "I note the comments of the Area Commander, Mr Cameron, regarding the policing of November 5 this year.

"He said it was one the quietest periods of Guy Fawkes night in Inverclyde.

"It was far from quiet around my church.

"Perhaps the reason why no arrests were made was that there was no visible police presence in this area, apart from one marked car which did spend some time here after I made repeated calls to Police Scotland."

Larkfield was the scene of major disorder on Bonfire Night in 2020, with an illegal gathering, fireworks and a DJ blaring rave music.

Rev McLoughlin said he felt the police tactics this year were to be deliberately low key.

He added: "I feel that residents like me should not have to protect their property because the police are invisible."

The area's new local area commander Chief Inspector Damian Kane, said the strategy on the evening was aimed at keeping everyone safe.

He has also pledged that a full review will be carried out.

Ch Insp Kane told the Telegraph: “Our policing approach during the lead up to and on bonfire night itself was focused on ensuring the safety of the public, our partners and our own officers.

“A significant level of multi-agency planning and preparation went in to the response which, as expected, proved challenging.

"This included an enhanced policing operation supported by both local and national resources.

“The evening did see a number of fireworks and bonfire related incidents across the local area.

"These incidents were subject to risk assessments to ensure a proportionate policing response.

“The agencies involved in the operation will carry out a detailed review and will seek to further improve the response.

"The safety of the local community remains the priority for all involved."