Delivery driver struck by traffic cone during anti-immigration protests 'does not feel safe' in Glasgow

A delivery driver who was forced to hide in a restaurant after having a traffic cone thrown at him in a racist attack by anti-immigration protesters has said he “does not feel safe” in Glasgow.

It came after “disorder, violence, intimidation and hate-motivated offences” dominated the streets of the city on Saturday as an anti-immigration rally was met by anti-racism counter-protesters at Glasgow Green.

Groups of demonstrators began moving throughout the city centre and Jawad Yaqoob, a delivery driver, was forced to flee after being targeted on Bridge Street.

Delivery driver Jawad Yaqoob had a traffic cone thrown at him as he fled the anti-immigration protesters chanting 'get them out'. — Delivery driver Jawad Yaqoob had a traffic cone thrown at him as he fled the anti-immigration protesters chanting ‘get them out’. Supplied

A traffic cone, usually a symbol of community in Glasgow, was violently thrown at him amid chants of “get them out”. He ran for cover within the restaurant that he had just picked up a delivery order from.

Mr Yaqoob is in the UK legally, and has lived here for three years, working and paying taxes. His wife is studying and works in healthcare.

‘I don’t feel safe’

Mr Yaqoob was picking up a food order in the Tradeston area of Glasgow when he came across a large group of demonstrators and was subsequently attacked.

“On Saturday, I dropped my wife at her job”, he told STV News, “Then I received an Uber delivery job, and I came here and parked my car. Then I received my delivery, and I came back on this road.

“Some people, around 150 to 200 people, came this side, and 20 to 25 policemen. I went this side, and near the crowd, some people were abusing me, saying, ‘Go back home.’

“I was scared. Why are they abusing me? One guy threw a traffic cone, and I went back to the shop. I just ran.”

Mr Yaqoob said he pleaded with the shopkeeper to let him stay because he wasn’t safe and felt threatened by the crowd of “very angry people”.

“It’s not my fault, I am brown, I am Asian,” Mr Yaqoob said, “I came here with my visa.”

He told STV News: “I have contributed to this country. My wife studies here. But now I don’t feel safe here. I am not safe.”

Mr Yaqoob attempted to report the incident to the police, and phoned them from the shop. He was told they would arrive within 30 minutes.

However, he claims officers did not show up, and he was issued with a £100 parking fine for leaving his vehicle unattended.

The protesters clashed with police throughout Glasgow STV News

“Before this incident, I felt Glasgow was my home”, Mr Yaqoob said.

“And Glasgow people are very nice people, I like Scottish people. After this incident, many people have been contacting me and left good comments on my video.

“I feel unsafe here. I’m very scared.”

Police Scotland said it is investigating the racist attack.

On Saturday, police made 15 arrests in relation to a variety of offences, including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.

Detectives have vowed to catch anyone involved in the disorder and are reviewing CCTV, mobile phone and dashcam footage.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of an assault on a 31-year-old man on Bridge Street in Glasgow shortly after 1.05pm on Saturday, 25 July, 2026.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”

A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.

Police are appealing to anyone with footage or photos of criminality related to the disorder in Glasgow on Saturday to upload it using the online form here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT26S14-PO1