Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority Policing Performance Committee with an overview of key areas of COSLA’s work of interest to the Committee. The update focuses on strategic developments and cross-COSLA activity that links to policing.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 16 September 2025
Date : 09 December 2025
Location : online
Community Cohesion
COSLA's most senior governance group, Convention, met on 14 November. One of the topics considered at the meeting was community cohesion.
Elected Members noted COSLA’s recent work to support local authorities respond to community tensions, and work with UK and Scottish Government, and key stakeholders – including Police Scotland – to monitor risk and develop joint strategic oversight in supporting community cohesion in Scotland.
COSLA has been monitoring protest activity, misinformation and tensions relating to people seeking asylum and refugees in recent months. A number of local authorities have reported incidents and protests, primarily at asylum accommodation sites, with some of those taking place on a weekly basis. The majority of local authorities have also reported instances of misinformation, which typically relate to rumours and incorrect claims about asylum accommodation. Of even more concern, some have reported instances of verbal of physical assault upon resettled refugees and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Elected Members are also increasingly experiencing online hostility, personal threats and abuse linked to mis, dis and malinformation. Such incidents appear to be particularly targeted towards women, minority ethnic members or those who counter anti-asylum rhetoric.
Convention agreed that COSLA should work with Scottish Government to emphasise its central role in convening statutory and community partners so that national leadership can be shown in addressing ongoing community cohesion, integration and safety risks in partnership. COSLA will also highlight to UK Government Ministers that the approach taken to fostering cohesion and integration in Scotland should dovetail with the approach that UK Government is taking on reserved matters, particularly in relation to accommodating and supporting asylum applicants and others who are supported to seek refuge in the UK.
