Out of Reach: Social Connections and Their Role in Influencing Engagement Between Forcibly Displaced People and Police Scotland

Bryony Gemma Nisbet () and Nicole Vidal
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Bryony Gemma Nisbet: Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK
Nicole Vidal: Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh EH21 6UU, UK

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Forcibly displaced people in Scotland face multiple barriers in accessing health, social care, and policing services. This paper explores how social connections shape engagement with these services, particularly the role of police in community safety and wellbeing. Drawing on qualitative interviews and social connections mapping workshops, this study examines how third-sector organisations act as key intermediaries, shaping how people access statutory services. The findings show that while community policing and partnerships with trusted organisations can improve accessibility, concerns about racial discrimination, the underreporting of hate crime, and the lack of language support continue to undermine confidence in policing. Additionally, the growing reliance on police officers to respond to mental health crises reflects wider gaps in specialist service provision. This paper argues for a shift towards a cross-sector approach that strengthens community-led safety strategies, reduces police involvement in non-criminal matters, and improves language and cultural competency within public services. Strengthening institutional accessibility and trust-building initiatives is key to improving engagement with policing and health and social care services for forcibly displaced communities.

Keywords: forcibly displaced people; Scotland; health and social care access; police; social connections (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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