Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has urged Police Scotland to roll-out body-worn cameras in a bid to deal with “shocking” statistics, which show high levels of violence against officers from the public in Mid Scotland and Fife.
The politician made his comments following alarming figures, released by Police Scotland to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information, that reveal there was a total of 1,532 reports of assault on police officers by members of the public in Mid Scotland and Fife from 2022 to June 30, 2025.
The statistics also show that 65 of these officers had to receive medical attention following an assault.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “These statistics on the number of reports of assaults by members of the public on police officers in Mid Scotland and Fife are truly shocking and highlight the levels of violence officers face.
“The data on assaults on police officers in Fife are particularly bad, rising from 326 in 2024 to 383 by June this year.
“To have a total of 1,532 assaults by the public on police officers in just three years in Mid Scotland and Fife is very alarming indeed and this underlines how this is an issue that needs addressed. Our police officers should not be subjected to being attacked by members of the public whilst they are carrying out their daily job.”
Mr Fraser continued: “One way of trying to tackle this problem is by officers wearing body-worn video cameras. Police Scotland have confirmed that it rolled out body-worn cameras to officers last week into Edinburgh, Lothians and Scottish Border - reaching the half-way point of the implementation.
“Body-worn video camaras are also being used in Tayside, Highlands and Islands, the North East, Forth Valley and Fife. Police Scotland have also told us that body worn cameras will be rolled out into the west of Scotland in early 2026.
“I am pleased that these forces have the use of body-worn video cameras. Police need all the resources available to combat crime and deal with incidents where they are assaulted.”
