By Chris Green
Assaults on Scottish police officers have fallen significantly in the past year, with the rollout of body-worn video cameras being credited for the trend.
Figures released by Police Scotland and analysed by 1919 show the number of complaints and allegations about officers being made by the public is also falling.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents the rank-and-file, said people’s behaviour around officers is “definitely changing” because of the technology.
The national rollout of body-worn video began in March 2025 and concluded in April, with officers in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire the last to be given the devices.
Since the programme began, more than 864,000 recordings have been captured by the cameras, with almost 174,000 hours of footage uploaded.
All frontline uniformed police officers in Scotland, including special constables, are now expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty.
They must activate it when using police powers such as making an arrest, undertaking a stop and search, or executing a search warrant.
1919 has previously reported how the rollout has been widely welcomed by officers, with some describing the “peace of mind” of knowing their actions are being recorded.
New data suggests that the devices are reducing the number of officers being assaulted, as well as the likelihood of complaints being lodged about their conduct.
In response to a recent freedom of information request, Police Scotland said there were 6,334 reports of officers being assaulted on duty during 2025/26.
While this still works out at 122 incidents every week, it marks an 11 per cent fall on the 7,159 reported assaults logged the previous year.
Separate figures revealed by the force in a report to the Scottish Police Authority also show a 14 per cent fall in the number of complaints received about officers in 2025/26.
The total figure of 5,836 complaints is the lowest in at least five years, with a similar trend noted across all territorial divisions in the north, east and west command areas.
David Threadgold, SPF chair
The number of alleged assaults by police officers referred to the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) also fell by almost 50 per cent year-on-year, from 348 to 181.
The SPF said the slower, phased rollout of body-worn video means that next year’s figures are likely to show an even greater positive impact.
Chair David Threadgold told 1919: “There is no doubt that the public’s attitude and engagements with the police are definitely changing following the rollout of body-worn video.
“Decisions made by police officers are always the subject of scrutiny, but there was previously an almost ‘default’ complaint culture from members of the public. We’re not seeing that now, and the evidence is bearing that out.
“It’s obviously a good thing, as we want to see fewer police being assaulted and for the public’s interactions with officers to be positive.
“But it’s also not unexpected, and shows why we campaigned for so long to have body-worn video brought in. You get a reduction in police assaults, and a reduction in complaints, and those that are made can be resolved far more quickly.
“The biggest division in the country in Glasgow only got the technology a matter of weeks ago, so the figures are likely to improve even more in the months ahead.”
He added that with more investment from the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, body-worn video could become even more effective.
“What we have got now is the most basic product that is available on the market,” he said. “There are much more advanced options that we can’t afford.
“For example, Tasers can be linked to the cameras so once one is removed from its holster, that officer’s camera and those of his colleagues automatically turn on.”
Police Scotland said a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the devices was planned, but that some of the benefits are already becoming apparent.
Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett said: “Over 14,000 frontline police officers and staff have been equipped with body-worn video cameras as we work towards our vision of safer communities and less crime.
“A full evaluation of the impact of body-worn devices will take place, however, we do know that using these devices can 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.
“There continues to be strong public and partner support for body-worn video, and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology, including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.”
How 1919 pushed for bodycam rollout
The national rollout of body-worn video cameras for Scottish police officers finally began last year, following years of campaigning by the SPF and 1919.
Our stories included calls for Humza Yousaf to keep his promise on speeding up the programme following his election as SNP leader in 2023, and much-needed scrutiny of delays to the rollout.
In 2025, it emerged that nearly 200 videos were uploaded within the first 24 hours of the system going live in Tayside, and earlier this year we revealed how their reception among officers had been “overwhelmingly positive”.