Police Scotland Overtime Costs Exceed £1 Million Amid Glasgow Anti‑Migrant Protests

Police Scotland’s overtime bill has risen to over £1 million as anti‑immigrant and anti‑racism protests intensify in Glasgow and other Scottish towns. Senior management cancelled nearly 3,000 officer rest days in the past year to address the demonstrations, and 15 arrests were made after clashes between protestors.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said the protests have spread to locations that rarely see such activity, targeting asylum accommodation and causing hostility toward police, including missile‑throwing. He noted that some incidents are driven by online disinformation, while others stem from genuine concerns about alleged criminal offences linked to asylum seekers. The unrest has drawn additional scrutiny during the Commonwealth Games, where police struggled to maintain order amid chaotic anti‑immigration demonstrations.