Copyright dailyrecord
A fresh call for police across Perth and Kinross to be issued with body-worn cameras has been made after figures revealed the level of violence committed against officers in the region. Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser is pushing for Police Scotland chiefs to continue a rollout of the equipment - which has begun to be trialled across several regions. It comes after a Freedom of Information request from the Scottish Conservatives revealed a total of 1,532 reports of assault on police officers by members of the public in Mid Scotland and Fife during the period from 2022 to the end of June 2025. A total of 300 of those reports took place in Perth and Kinross during that time period. The statistics also show that 65 of these officers had to receive medical attention following an assault. Among the divisions making use of body-worn cameras are police officers in Edinburgh, where around 1800 officers - including road police and dog-handlers - are now on duty wearing the technology ahead of a busy Bonfire Night period. 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. “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.” He 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 in Edinburgh, Lothians and Scottish Borders – reaching the half-way point of the implementation. The cameras are already being used in areas including Tayside, Highlands and Islands, the North East, Forth Valley and Fife. Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors said: “The national roll out of the body worn video cameras is a key priority for us and is one of the ways that we can work towards our vision of safer communities, less crime and to support the safety of our officers. “As Halloween and Bonfire Night approaches having officers on the streets with the capability to record audio and visual evidence can and should act as a deterrent to those considering engaging in criminal activity. “Investigations into fireworks-related crimes can and will continue following Bonfire Night and anyone who commits an offence will be pursued and body worn video footage will aid those investigations.” During this first phase of the body worn video rollout, more than 10,500 Home Office approved Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras were issued to frontline officers from constable to inspector ranks, and to police custody staff, across the country. The equipment can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, as well as support officer and staff safety, and bring wider benefits to the criminal justice system. DCC Connors added: “The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers. “Body worn video can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions. “There is strong public and partner support for body worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.”
