Mary Wright

Anti-migrant protests and related counter-demonstrations across Scotland have generated about £1 million in police overtime costs and led to nearly 3,000 cancelled officer rest days over a year. Police Scotland says activity has spread beyond Glasgow and Edinburgh, with repeat demonstrations targeting asylum accommodation causing disruption to residents, staff and communities. Fifteen people were arrested in Glasgow amid reports of abuse directed at minority passers-by, while officers have faced missiles and hostility at larger events. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell also warned that some protests are driven by online disinformation, although some allegations prompting mobilisations have been accurate.

Reported spiking incidents in Scotland rose by more than 50 percent in a year, prompting warnings from Police Scotland and renewed concern over women’s safety on nights out. Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr criticised the Scottish Government for rejecting calls to introduce a stand‑alone spiking offence, contrasting Scotland’s approach with new legislation in England and Wales. Campaigners from Spike Aware UK said most incidents go unreported due to victims’ memory loss and lack of confidence in being believed. Police urged continued vigilance, while the Scottish Government maintained that existing laws are sufficient to prosecute offenders.