Remember me
Malcolm Offord told journalists on Friday that he joined a patrol with the group North2South, which claims to be protecting women and girls.
During a press conference in Greenock, Inverclyde, on Friday, Offord claimed the group are acting “in cooperation” with the police – however, Police Scotland hasPolice Scotland have rejected this rejected this.
READ MORE: Scottish university shuts campus amid far-right protest and student safety fears
In a statement, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Keeping people in our local communities safe is our priority and officers will always respond appropriately to any crimes reported.
"We do not endorse, condone or encourage any group's activity. We do not work with them or their members, nor advise them how to carry out their activities.”
The National took a look at the origins of the group.
North2South are a group that claims to patrol Glasgow at the weekends.
The group started organised patrols of Glasgow’s streets at night "because there was a feeling from women and girls, they didn’t feel safe", according to Offord.
However, the North2South Night Patrol Facebook page was originally set up in 2023 as a clothing brand called North2South.
It was set up by a woman selling “bespoke” T-shirts, hoodies and other items of clothing, with their first day of trading at the Barras Market in Glasgow suggested to be August 12, 2023.
One image shows a man with a child in a pram at a stall, and an image announcing the closure of the stall in August 2024 shows a man, woman and child.
The caption states: “As a family, we have decided to finish up our time in the Barras, we are so grateful for the people who have supported us throughout, the friends we have gained”.
The page lay dormant until a post from the Barras advertising for musicians was shared in July 2025.
There was again no activity on the page until just last month on February 6, when it was rebranded as North2South Night Patrol with the same logo as the original clothing line.
After sharing a news report on the number of homeless people on Scotland’s streets, the group posted a list “from one of our members” of “ways to keep yourself safe while out and about at night”.
This included lines such as “ensure your phone is fully charged” and “never leave a drink unattended.”
READ MORE: Malcolm Offord defends 'racist' Edinburgh claim he 'got from a taxi driver'
The page then featured a post from Glasgow charity Homeless Project Scotland, encouraging followers to volunteer and on February 12, a post from Independent MP Rupert Lowe –previously of Reform UK – was shared.
He had stated: “Facebook. I need your help. Our rape gang inquiry has been ENTIRELY frozen out by the mainstream media. Not a word. I do not know why. So, we are fully relying on social media to spread the stories from these brave women who have been raped and abused by mainly gangs of Pakistani Muslims.”
Two days later, the page shared a graphic which stated: “Paedophile hunting teams are not vigilantes!!”.
Several news reports concerning missing people, bullying and rape were shared, before a post on February 20 advertised a “Glasgow community night patrol walk” to “keep our streets safe keep our children and women safe”, taking place on February 21.
On March 1, the page posted a callout titled “volunteers needed”.
It states: “Are you looking for a way to give back to your local community? Our team strive to assist charities across Glasgow & are looking for dedicated, friendly individuals to join our team for evening volunteer shifts.
“Whether it’s supporting [sic] homeless project Scotland, street patrols to help the vulnerable.”
READ MORE: Reform Wales leader denies China spy suspect was set to stand as candidate
It adds that "applicants must already hold a valid PVG [Protecting Vulnerable Groups] scheme membership or be willing to undergo a full disclosure check via Disclosure Scotland" and that they are looking "for support during weekday or weekend evenings (typically between 10pm and 3am).”
On March 4, the page thanked a business for donations to Homeless Project Scotland.
On the same day, an announcement was posted to say Pollok Country Park had been added “to our regular patrols”.
Following Offord’s comments on March 6, the group posted: “Well done Malcolm, Every word true. We are a group of concerned parents that want to help make the city a safer place. FAR FROM VIGILANTES.”
Offord had said: "Things have changed in Glasgow in the last five years. There's a lot more men from foreign lands."
Asked how he knew the men were foreign, Offord said it was “perfectly obvious when you walk through” the city centre.
He added: "They're not speaking English as their first language. These young girls feel less safe.
"I didn't want to believe it, so I went and did the patrol. And I have to tell you, what I saw there was the huge number of asylum hotels.
"I went to a homeless shelter the week before that. Of the 30 people in there, there was only two locals. I asked them their story as they came in. The other 28 were asylum seekers."
Homeless Project Scotland and North2South have been contacted for comment.