CAMPAIGNERS have hailed a decision by police to overturn the controversial policy of some officers carrying guns in public on regular patrols as a "victory for common sense".

Police Scotland announced yesterday it is ending the practice after coming under criticism from communities and politicians over officers wearing weapons in their holsters while responding to routine incidents.

The force says armed officers will in future respond to incidents only where there is suspected to be another firearm involved or a direct threat to life.

However, the standing authority for a small percentage of officers to carry a sidearm will remain, meaning a contingent carrying guns will be on duty at most times.

Announcing the changes, Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the new policy balanced the need to protect the public and ensure all communities have the "same access to specialist policing support, no matter where or when it is needed".

The move was welcomed by Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who had been pressing Chief Constable Sir Stephen House and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on the issue.

He said: "The decision to strike a balance between the legitimate concerns of the public against the duty of the police to keep people safe is a victory for common sense and just shows what can be done when people and organisations focus their minds on an issue."

Independent Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie, who was the first to discover some officers were carrying firearms in side holsters rather than in locked boxes in their armed-response vehicles, also backed the new policy.

The policy was introduced by the former Northern Constabulary before the national force came into operation in April 2013, leading to armed units being used to respond to more regular matters, such as street disturbances.

Mr Finnie said the force had answered "legitimate public concerns about armed officers walking about [in] our towns and villages". He added: "It is a great relief that armed police will no longer be seen on our streets dealing with routine police business because this was having a negative impact on community relations."

The former policeman urged the public to take part in a consultation about the issue by the police oversight body, the Scottish Police Authority, and Her Majesty's Inspectorate Of Constabulary in Scotland. They are expected to complete their report by the end of the year.

David Alston, deputy leader of Highland Council, added: "Clearly, Sir Stephen has listened to the arguments and the widespread concerns across the county, and he should be commended for that."

Danny Alexander, Treasury Chief Secretary and Highland MP, said: "This is great news for thousands of Highlanders who backed the campaign to get this policy reversed."

Meanwhile, Mr Livingstone said Sir Stephen had listened to public concern and those of council leaders who opposed the policy of some officers carrying guns on regular patrols, while trying to balance his overriding duty to keep people safe. He added: "As an organisation we acknowledge the local feeling from politicians and some members of the public, as evidenced by the feedback from some local authorities.

"The decision to continue with a small number of armed officers dedicated to specialist firearms duties is entirely proportionate and necessary and ensures we discharge out duty to keep people safe."

The reversal was made after Police Scotland's Armed Police Monitoring Group met last month and reviewed intelligence, including evidence on legally held firearms in Scotland, classified information on serious organised crime groups, and the number of firearms deployments by officers in recent months.

The decision to allow armed officers to respond to non-firearm incidents led to mounting concern Scotland's tradition of policing by consent was being undermined. Mr MacAskill also faced questions over whether he knew of the policy.