Seizures of drugs, knives and weapons have doubled in Glasgow city centre as most lockdown restrictions end. 

And problems areas the Four Corners, Union Street, Gordon Street and Clyde Street are causing anti-social behaviour and violence concerns for cops, a meeting heard.

Police officer staffing levels in the city centre are now back to pre- pandemic levels to deal with pubs and clubs reopening.

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Police Inspector Iain Sibbald told  the Glasgow City Council Anderston, City and Yorkhill Partnership meeting that bikes thefts are occurring as people start working in offices again. 

Commenting on seizures, Inspector Sibbald said: “Our detections for drugs, knives and weapons have almost doubled since this time last year due to increased proactivity and stop searches. 

“An increase in stop and search accounts for this. 

“You can look at it one way and say ‘that is dreadful there is an increase in knife crime and drugs in the city centre.’

“The other way to look at it is because we are stopping more people and finding more of these items. That accounts for these figures.”

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Inspector Sibbald added: “We also have the highest positive detection rate in the city centre out of the whole of Greater Glasgow for our stop searches for drugs and weapons. Some good work there.” 

He told the Partnership meeting last week: “Our City Centre Policing Plan from this weekend has now been resourced to pre-covid levels in line with the night-time economy.”

Pinpointing problem areas in the city, he said: “In respect of anti-social behaviour and violence in the city the Four Corners continues to be one of our main concerns along with Union Street, Gordon Street and Clyde Street. It places a significant demand on resources particularly on a Friday and Saturday evening.”

Commenting on crime levels, Inspector Sibbald said: “Figures of violence and robberies in the city centre show a rise compared to a similar time last year.

“It is hard to compare to last year as the city was in lockdown so any crimes we have are going to be higher. To give a comparative view it is lower than the similar period two years ago – prior to lockdown.”

The city centre has seen more bikes being stolen due to people cycling to work more – as they return to offices. 

Inspector Sibbald said bicycles are being nicked from transport hubs, hotels, universities and car parks.