Police Scotland is doubling down on a crucial message — reckless behaviour towards their Safety Cameras staff will not be tolerated, and offenders will face serious consequences.
Safety Cameras play a vital role in enforcing speed limits in high-risk areas and reducing road accidents caused by reckless drivers, especially in locations with a history of injury collisions.
Behind every camera, there’s a person dedicated to making Scotland’s roads safer, and these enforcement officers deserve to carry out their duties free from fear of harm.
However, some individuals continue to act aggressively, jeopardising the safety of these officers, other drivers, and passengers alike.
Chief Inspector of Road Policing, Mark Patterson, recently underscored the gravity of the issue, reminding the public that Police Scotland officers and staff have the right to a safe working environment, just as everyone else does.
Aggressive and abusive behaviour towards these officers is not only unacceptable — it’s a criminal offence.
In a recent incident, Police Scotland Road Policing officers swiftly apprehended an individual after an object was hurled from a moving vehicle at a mobile camera van on the A68 in Midlothian.
Thanks to quick action from the police, the culprit was traced, arrested, and charged with culpable and reckless conduct, sending a strong message to others who might consider similar actions.
Chief Inspector Patterson emphasised that recklessness or abuse towards enforcement staff will result in arrest and prosecution, highlighting that such behaviour puts everyone on the road at risk, not just police officers.
“Offenders will face arrest and prosecution,” said Chief Inspector Patterson, urging both motorists and passengers to consider their behaviour and the potential consequences.
He also appealed to the public for their support in creating safer roads and a respectful environment for those tasked with enforcing the law.
This call for public cooperation is as much about protecting enforcement officers as it is about ensuring the safety of every motorist on Scotland’s roads.
Police Scotland Safety Cameras officers are there to protect lives, not to be targets of reckless actions; respect for their work is essential to the road safety mission.
Let’s all do our part to respect those on the frontlines of road safety, because abuse, aggression, and violence are simply not part of the job.
