Attack on delivery driver raises safety and racial abuse concerns in Glasgow suburb
A delivery driver working for Just Eat says he was left shaken and in tears after a group of people hurled eggs at him, shouted racist abuse and physically attacked him while he carried out a food delivery in Rutherglen on the night of Tuesday 11 August.
The 42-year-old victim, identified in media reports as Abdul Begam, was dropping off a McDonald’s order at a block of flats on Western Avenue when he encountered a group of about 10 young people. As he approached the buzzer for the building, he says dozens of eggs were thrown at him and struck his head.
As he tried to withdraw from the area, several members of the group continued to follow him, directing racial taunts including “go home” and “leave the country”. Mr Begam told reporters he was then punched by some members of the group and again pelted with eggs as he attempted to get to his car.
“I was really so shocked and it didn’t know what was happening. I was crying, saying ‘please leave me’.”
He contacted Police Scotland, who attended and recorded a statement. Detectives have said enquiries are under way but no arrests had been made at the time of the reports.
Impact on the victim and local community
Mr Begam, who moved to Glasgow from Spain in 2020 and is a father of four, said the experience had traumatised him. Despite his distress, he told local media he had returned to work to meet financial obligations.
He expressed surprise and disappointment that such an incident could happen in Glasgow, saying he had encountered many kind people since arriving and that this was the first time he had been subjected to this type of attack.
The driver hopes that nearby CCTV footage will assist police in identifying those involved. Police confirmed they were making enquiries into the incident.
Questions for employers, safety and policing
The assault highlights recurring concerns about the safety of delivery workers who routinely operate late at night and in small teams or alone. It also speaks to broader anxieties about public order and racially motivated abuse in parts of the city.
Local residents and community groups will likely press for clarity on several points as police inquiries proceed:
- Whether nearby CCTV or private cameras have captured the attack and can aid identification.
- What measures delivery companies and local authorities can take to improve safety for couriers working at night.
- How Police Scotland will investigate potential hate crime elements and whether additional patrols will be deployed in the area.
Delivery workers in Glasgow and beyond have previously raised concerns about attacks, verbal abuse and theft while working; this episode will revive calls for better protection and support for those whose work places them at risk on city streets.
Reported facts and timeline
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Around 11.20pm on Tuesday 11 August |
| Location | Western Avenue, Rutherglen, Glasgow |
| Victim | 42-year-old male delivery driver (Just Eat) |
| Reported offenders | Group of around 10 young people; no arrests reported at time of coverage |
| Police action | Attendance and statement taken; enquiries ongoing |
Police Scotland did not provide further details on any injuries sustained or on whether the incident has been recorded as a hate crime. Community leaders and delivery companies have yet to issue public statements on the attack.
For residents, the episode is a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by lone workers in the city and of the work that remains to address racially charged harassment. As inquiries continue, attention will centre on how quickly those responsible can be identified and what steps will be taken to prevent a repeat of such an attack.
WE NEWS will follow developments and report further when Police Scotland or other agencies provide updates.
