14-07-2025
Bus station assaults and threats 'skyrocket' across Scotland
John Swinney has been warned the Scottish Government is not moving fast enough on youth violence as assaults and threats at bus stations 'skyrocket' by 65% in a year.
Statistics released by Police Scotland, and requested by the Scottish Tories under freedom of information laws, chart the scale of anti-social behaviour in Scotland's cities.
The First Minister has already confirmed work is underway to develop a system that would strip under-22s of their free bus pass following repeated violent offending.
But there are fears the measures are not being implemented quickly enough amid a rise in youth violence.
The figures showed 79 police call outs for assaults and threats across seven cities in 2024-25, compared to 48 in the previous year, an increase of 65%.
Police call outs to assaults at Glasgow's Buchanan Bus Station rose by 85% from 20 in 2023-24 to 37 in 2024-25.
Call outs for threats increased by 50% in Glasgow, from six in both 2022-23 and 2023-24 to nine in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, assaults at Dundee Bus Station tripled and increased by 300% in the last year, with police called out out to eight assaults in 2024-25, up from two.
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Dunfermline Bus Station assaults more than doubled, up from three to seven in the last year - an increase of 133%.
The number of assault call outs at bus stations in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness remained the same during the year timeframe, with four in the capital and three each in Aberdeen and Inverness.
While assaults increased in Perth, it was the only city to witness a reduction in threats, falling from two to one call out.
The scale of the issue across the country could be far higher when bus stations in towns are included.
Liam Kerr, justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories, warned the Scottish Government's efforts to crack down on repeat offenders must be scaled up.
Last year, bus driver Keith Rollinson, 58, died after being seriously assaulted by a 15-year-old boy in Elgin, Moray.
Mr Kerr said bus drivers and passengers were being left "at the mercy of violent offenders".
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He said: 'The SNP's soft-touch approach to crime is making life more dangerous for bus users across Scotland.
'Assaults and anti-social behaviour on board, and at bus stations, is skyrocketing because offenders don't fear being caught or know they won't be properly punished.
'This behaviour is threatening public safety and placing even more pressure on our already underfunded police.
'Only last year, we witnessed the tragic consequences of this spike in violent behaviour when Keith Rollinson, a bus driver in Elgin, was killed by a teenager, while simply doing his job.
'The SNP have finally listened to Scottish Conservative calls for free bus passes to be taken off the small minority of young people who abuse the privilege. It is vital that this is actioned immediately.
'Rather than leaving bus drivers and passengers at the mercy of violent offenders, it's time for SNP ministers to show they are serious about punishing loutish or violent behaviour.'
In May, the First Minister said he was prepared to crack down on bus station assaults by youths.
Mr Swinney said the vast majority of young Scots used their entitlement 'wisely and thoughtfully and effectively'.
Representatives of bus operators from First Bus, Lothian buses and Stagecoach told a Holyrood committee earlier this year that the increase in anti-social behaviour at stations was proportionate to the rising level of passengers caused by the under-22s free travel scheme.
However he said: 'We have to be prepared to tackled unacceptable behaviour.'
The Scottish Government has sought to crack down on youth violence more widely following a spate of fatal knife attacks.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'Whilst Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with recorded crime is at one of the lowest levels since 1974 and down 40% since 2006-07, any instances of anti-social behaviour are unacceptable. We are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year – an increase of £90 million on 2024-25.
'Police Scotland and local authorities lead on antisocial behaviour interventions and have a range of options and powers available for preventing and tackling antisocial behaviour. We have also provided £156 million since 2008 to support young people who are most at risk at being involved in violence, antisocial behaviour or crime.
'The Scottish Government invests £370 million. each year to provide free bus travel for over two million people in Scotland – including all children and young people under 22, eligible disabled people and everyone aged 60 and over.'
