Warning people in Govanhill are trapped inside homes due to street attacks

There are calls for officers to patrol the streets to get to know members of the community.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 3rd May 2024

People in Govanhill are telling us their pleas for more police patrols and safer streets are falling on deaf ears amid a rising number of violent attacks in the area.

Our Senior Reporter Callum McQuade has been speaking to one woman who lives across from the park and doesn't want to be named.

Scared to leave the house at night

She said: "It terrifies me when I see my 14-year-old daughter going out at night, if I know where she is I would rather go and pick her up myself and bring her home.

"I don't want her relying on a bus and walking home from there."

It follows a number of incidents in the last couple of months including people being stabbed and robbed.

She added: "I could be taking a short walk to one of the local takeaways, but even then I still have my guard up to see who is kicking about.

"I get nervous when I see crowds of young people and adults - you just don't know who they are or what they will do."

Lack of police presence

Frances Stojilkovic has been campaigning for years to get more police officers on the streets.

She told Clyde 1: "I used to know everybody there and would not think twice about walking down Victoria Road or Allison Street in years gone by.

"It's really sad now to know there is a situation where people don't feel comfortable being on their own."

But David Kennedy from the Scottish Police Federation is warning intelligence is being missed because officers don't have the time to get to know people in the community.

He said: "Places are falling into disrepute because cops are just driving in cars from call to call and missing things on the streets.

"We need to be able to look after the little things to prevent the major crime from happening."

A commitment to visibility

Chief Inspector Gordon Sneddon said: “The Chief Constable has been clear about her commitment to frontline policing and our communities.

"We have been maintaining effective policing through rigorous prioritisation of how our officers and staff are deployed, to define and focus on core police work.

“In Govanhill, and the wider Southside areas, we have both high visibility and plain clothes patrols daily as part of the local policing plan.

“We also work with a range of partner agencies to build a clear picture of the issues that need addressed so we can work together to tackle any crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Anyone with any concerns in their local community should be contacting police via 101 so we can ensure we continue to keep the people who live and work in the area safe.”

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