Reform UK has called for all frontline police officers in Glasgow to be equipped with Tasers, claiming the city has become lawless under the SNP. Thomas Kerr, a Glasgow councillor who defected from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage’s party, said mass illegal migration was pushing the city to breaking point.
Speaking alongside Reform UK Scottish leader Malcolm Offord, Kerr argued that only around 2,000 officers in Scotland currently have access to Tasers. The party also wants to recruit 1,000 more police officers and end police call-outs for mental health issues, which they say should be handled by medical professionals.
Offord highlighted the closure of local police stations, including the former Castlemilk station, which is boarded up and for sale. He said: “We have the local police station boarded up, for sale, and it is one of six across Glasgow that have been shut down. Why would you take policing out of local communities?”
Reform UK cited 7,159 assaults on police officers and staff in 2024-25, equating to nearly 20 attacks per day, as justification for arming all frontline officers with Tasers. Offord added: “Communities across Scotland deserve to feel safe in their homes and on their streets.”
However, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Daniel Khan-O’Malley dismissed the claims of lawlessness, saying: “The idea that Glasgow is descending into lawlessness and anarchy will come as something of a surprise to those out enjoying the sunshine today.” SNP candidate Karen Adam accused Reform of scaremongering, noting that homicides are at a record low and serious assault is down by more than half.
