(Pictured Above) Will Linden, Deputy Head of Scottish Violence Reduction Unit
Last week, Scotland witnessed a deeply concerning escalation of targeted hostility and violence against minority ethnic communities. Perpetrated under the cynical guise of “protecting white lives,” this flashpoint was fuelled by the brutal attack in Belfast on Steven Ogilvie and the tragic death of Henry Novak. We share the public’s profound grief and indignation over both devastating events.
Scotland must hold an equal, unyielding value on every human life. The 45 individuals who lost their lives to homicide in Scotland across 2024/25 represent a collective tragedy, regardless of the background of the victim or the perpetrator. Violence is never acceptable. It is therefore abhorrent to see these recent tragedies weaponised to justify racism. Blaming and terrorising innocent citizens solely because of the colour of their skin is indefensible. It exposes an undercurrent of hate that a violent minority has seized upon this week to intimidate others.
These individuals have rationalised their lawlessness as a defence of their community. They are entirely wrong. Their actions are designed to sow fear, not safety. When a white Scottish individual commits a crime, the wider white community is never held collectively accountable, nor do they fear for their safety as a consequence. Strikingly, ethnic minority Scots are repeatedly forced to brace themselves for retribution when an individual from a minority background commits an offense. This double standard is unacceptable. Those responsible for the disorder in Glasgow, and those actively inciting it, must be held fully accountable. Every citizen has a fundamental right to live free from fear, intimidation and hostility.
In recent months, we have been developing a network of community champions to support Scotland’s diverse populations. We have watched mothers and fathers from all corners of the world come together, working tirelessly to improve their neighbourhoods and build a better, safer future for their children. We are hearing firsthand about how scared and isolated they are feeling after the events of this week, and after other events in recent years too. Families who have made Scotland their home, who are a crucial part of our social fabric, are feeling unwelcome in their homes and unsafe in their workplaces. One friend said to us this week: “I live here, work here, have family here and love this country. What more do I have to do to be considered Scottish?”
This question needs a definitive answer. Scotland’s hard-earned reputation as a safe, welcoming society is being actively undermined by a destructive minority exploiting underlying feelings of economic discontent and abandonment. Furthermore, elements of the media and digital platforms are deliberately capitalising on the politics of fear, manufacturing an artificial “us versus them” narrative built on falsehoods.
The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit stands in absolute solidarity with everyone affected by last week’s disorder, particularly our minority ethnic communities.
Violence is not a solution to social grievance. Being dedicated to public safety, the SVRU knows that true safety is not achieved by dividing communities, but by strengthening them. We must not allow the quiet, resilient voices of our neighbourhoods to be drowned out by the clamour of hate.
Scotland is a nation built on fairness, compassion, and the rule of law. We will never tolerate violence as a form of expression. Let this moment be a turning point. We call upon leadership across all sectors to reject the violence and the attempts to divide. Together, we must uphold our shared values and ensure that Scotland remains a home where everyone, without exception, can live in peace and safety.
By Will Linden, Deputy Head of Scottish Violence Reduction Unit