Police Scotland has apologised after their involvement in the Pride Glasgow event created "disharmony" among LGBTI communities.

A critical incident was declared by the force due to a reported loss of trust and confidence by some sections of the LGBTI communities following the event on August 19.

Superintendent Stewart Carle of Greater Glasgow Police Division said they were not “aware of the strength of feeling by some sections of the LGBTI communities against police participation” ahead of their decision to lead the annual parade.

Protesters blasted Glasgow Pride organisers for inviting the force to lead the event, claiming their presence was inappropriate and made many participants, including asylum seekers, feel uncomfortable.

A total of five arrests took place, including that of a 16-year-old boy and three transgender activists.

Read more: 'No pride in police, no police in Pride': Campaigners protest outside court against Pride arrests

Speaking over a month since the event, Superintendent Carle commented: “It is now clearly understood by Police Scotland that the three transgender people arrested were not protesting against the Pride Glasgow event itself but specifically that Police officers and staff had been invited to take part and lead the procession.

“The Gay Police Association which co-ordinated our involvement in and support to the event was not aware of the strength of feeling by some sections of the LGBTI communities against Police participation.

“Otherwise, there would have been the opportunity to engage with those protestors and facilitate peaceful protest as would have been the preferred approach.

"Our position remains that we believed and still do believe it was a very great privilege to be asked to lead this year's parade to the sound and beat of the world famous Glasgow Police Pipe Band.

Read more: Pride Glasgow: Thousands descend on city centre for celebrations

“For us, this invitation was indicative of greatly improved public relations with the LGBTI communities but we acknowledge that this is a continuing process and mutual trust is essential for it to be sustained and nurtured.

“We are sorry that two isolated but public incidents leading to the arrests have caused such disharmony in Scotland’s LGBTI communities and led to a loss of trust and confidence in our organisation for some LGBTI people, especially many transgender people.

“We will work hard to address concerns, improve trust and better understand the complex, and at times, diametrically opposing views on Police participation and policing of LGBTI events.”

It is understood that the arrested teenager has been dealt with by way of a warning letter by the Procurator Fiscal.

Criminal proceedings for the other adults remain ‘live’ and could not be commented on.

Following the Pride Glasgow event, ‘No Pride in police, no police in Pride’, protesters demonstrated outside of Glasgow Sheriff Court in solidarity with those arrested.

Speaking at the time, Alice, a 41-year-old nurse from Glasgow, said: “The whole Pride movement stems back to the Stonewall riots, which were in response to police brutality and police were targeting the LGBT community.

Read more: Attempted abduction in Wishaw leaves man, 37, with facial injuries

“For Pride Glasgow to not only say that the police were allowed, but were going to lead, made a lot of people feel uncomfortable.

“In particular LGBT asylum seekers who are fleeing because of horrible things that happen to people with LGBT identities.

“People feel really strongly that having the police in it and leading was really inappropriate.

The actions of the group were slammed by event organisers who said they were “extremely disappointed” by the incident.

A spokesman said: “Whilst Pride Glasgow promotes an Equality for all agenda and free speech the actions of this group jeopardised the safety of everyone attending the parade.”