On the evening of May 30, 2025, a shocking attack unfolded outside the Livingston police station in West Lothian, Scotland, when Jamie Taylor, a 34-year-old former soldier from Bo’ness, hurled three petrol bombs at police vehicles and officers. The incident, captured in vivid detail by CCTV cameras and later shown in court, left the police force and local community reeling, while raising urgent questions about mental health, public safety, and the risks faced by law enforcement officers.
According to STV News, Taylor’s actions were both deliberate and dangerous. The footage played at the High Court in Edinburgh showed Taylor, hooded and prepared, throwing the improvised Molotov cocktails at marked Police Scotland vans parked outside the station. The first two petrol bombs bounced off windscreens and exploded on the ground, setting fires perilously close to the station entrance. But it was the third bomb that escalated the situation from reckless to nearly fatal. As PC Kirsty Forsyth rushed outside with a fire extinguisher to tackle the growing flames, Taylor’s third petrol bomb landed at her feet, erupting in a sudden blast of fire that shot above her head. The officer, in a split-second decision, turned and ran from the scene, narrowly avoiding serious injury.
Her colleagues, PC Barry Henderson among them, quickly joined the effort, both to contain the blaze and pursue the attacker. As The Sun reported, Taylor fled the scene but was apprehended a short while later by police officers who found him lying next to a bush in Livingston. He was described as smelling strongly of fuel, and officers seized a petrol can, nozzle, and vodka bottle from outside his address as evidence. Upon arrest, Taylor reportedly stated, “If it makes any difference, I know it won’t, but it wasn’t a directed attack.” He was then taken into custody, processed, and his clothing seized for forensic examination.
The attack was not a spur-of-the-moment act. Prosecutor Wojciech Jajdelski told the court that Taylor had eight previous convictions and was temporarily staying with his mother at the time. On the day of the attack, Taylor’s partner received information under the Domestic Abuse Scotland disclosure scheme, revealing his history of domestic violence against a former partner. That very day, Taylor called his mother—who was on holiday—to announce that he had “a bag full of vodka bottles filled with petrol” and that he was going to “blow up Livingston Police station.”
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., Taylor hailed a taxi for the journey to the police station. He loaded the petrol-filled bottles into the boot and, during the ride, told the driver he was going to “see a copper about a bike.” He tried to explain away the smell of petrol by saying it came from the gloves he was wearing. CCTV footage later corroborated the sequence of events: Taylor arriving, retrieving the bottles, and lighting and throwing them at the station and vehicles.
In court, Taylor pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching the 1883 Explosives Act by throwing the petrol bombs at the police station and vehicles. He also admitted to “culpably and recklessly” endangering the life of PC Forsyth by throwing a petrol bomb that exploded at her feet. The gravity of the situation was not lost on the presiding judge, Lady Ross, who told Taylor, “This was clearly a dangerous thing to do.”
The response from Police Scotland was swift and unequivocal. Inspector Lindsey McIntyre condemned the attack as a “totally reckless act” that endangered the lives of all officers and staff present at the station. She emphasized, “Thankfully, no one was injured, but the outcome of the incident could have been far worse. Every officer has the fundamental right to come home from each shift unharmed, and no one should be targeted in this way.”
Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC provided further context, telling the court that Taylor suffers from serious mental health issues, which are partly associated with his former army career. McSporran also praised PC Forsyth’s composure during the ordeal, stating, “She seemed to remain extremely cool in the circumstances.” The court agreed, recognizing the professionalism and bravery displayed by the officers involved.
While the attack itself was over in minutes, its ramifications are ongoing. The court heard that Taylor’s partner’s receipt of information under the Domestic Abuse Scotland disclosure scheme was a factor in the day’s events, highlighting the complex interplay of personal history, mental health, and violent behavior. Taylor’s eight previous convictions and his temporary living situation with his mother were also noted, painting a picture of a man struggling with significant personal challenges.
As the legal process continues, Taylor remains a remand prisoner, appearing at his hearing via video link. Lady Ross has requested a full background report before sentencing, which is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Stirling on January 13, 2026. The outcome will be closely watched, not only by those directly affected but also by the broader public, for whom the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by police officers and the importance of addressing mental health issues among former service members.
The attack at Livingston police station has sparked conversations about security at police facilities, the risks of homemade explosives, and the need for better support systems for individuals with mental health struggles—especially those with military backgrounds. It also underscores the value of schemes like the Domestic Abuse Scotland disclosure initiative, which aims to protect potential victims by sharing crucial information about individuals’ histories.
For the officers at Livingston police station, the events of May 30, 2025, will not soon be forgotten. The swift, coordinated response, the courage under fire, and the subsequent pursuit of justice stand as a testament to the resilience and professionalism of Police Scotland’s ranks. As the community awaits the final sentencing, the hope is that lessons will be learned and steps taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
In the end, while no lives were lost and no serious injuries reported, the attack left an indelible mark on all involved—a reminder that danger can arrive without warning, and that the thin blue line is often all that stands between order and chaos.
