Glasgow's new top cop on youth violence, road deaths and title parties

Lynn Ratcliff spoke exclusively with the Glasgow Times about the challenges the city is facing as she settled into her new role as Chief Superintendent (CS) for Greater Glasgow.

Growing up, CS Ratcliff always had a hankering to join the police due to a family friend being in the force but went on to work in management and consultancy after university.

But after a gambling decision to change career 30 years ago, CS Ratcliff hasn’t looked back and is now responsible for all policing in the biggest division in the country.

(Image: Gordon Terris) “Although I didn't grow up in Glasgow, because I worked here in the early part of my service and throughout my career, I have a really strong affinity with the city,” she said.

"Concerning” youth violence is a priority for CS Ratcliff and her team.

Last month, 16-year-old Kory McCrimmon died in hospital following a disturbance in Greenfield Park in the city’s East End. A 13-year-old boy was charged with murder.

Kory (Image: Supplied) In April, a 15-year-old was charged with culpable homicide following the death of a pensioner in Govanhill.

“There have been some tragic events recently with people losing their lives in the city because of violent crime,” CS Ratcliff said.

“So, for me and the teams that work across Glasgow, that is very much a focus for us right now.

“Violent crime is on the increase across the country. And I suspect that there are a number of different factors that contribute to that. So, what we see in Glasgow is unfortunately mirrored across the country.

“The culture that we saw in the past of weapon carrying is beginning to creep back in and that is concerning. And clearly, it's an absolute tragedy. Not only for the victims and their families, but it's really sad for the perpetrators as well because we've got young people who are acting rashly, a moment of madness. And that sets the path for the rest of their lives. So for all of those reasons, it's something that we've got a focus on.”

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Another priority for CS Ratcliff is helping to prevent tragic road deaths following a concerning rise in fatalities last year. 

In 2023, 14 people were killed on Glasgow’s roads. This is an increase from 2022 when there were seven road deaths.

Just some of the victims killed on Glasgow's roads in 2023, and top left, cops carrying out enquiries at the scene of a road accident (Image: Newsquest/Police Scotland) CS Ratcliff highlighted that officers are working in partnership with Glasgow City Council to address road safety priorities.

She added: “We have carried out days of action in which we do regular checks and patrols at designated car-free zones. A significant number of fixed penalties have been issued because there are vehicles endangering pedestrian safety.

“Just recently, a cyclist tragically lost her life in a collision with an HGV in Bearsden. We have carried out Operation Close Pass in every subdivision in conjunction with road policing partners.”

(Image: Gordon Terris) CS Ratcliff also raised concerns regarding pedestrian safety due to a rise in e-bike users.

She revealed that 51 e-bikes were seized recently due to riders speeding on pavements.

“They are travelling at speed, and they will have people off their feet very, very easily. It’s an issue that is regularly brought to our attention.”

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And with hundreds of crimes and various issues officers deal with every day, CS Ratcliff raised concerns about the lack of police funding.

She said: “One of the more significant challenges is making sure that we deliver a really high professional level of service to the communities of Glasgow, but we're doing that against the backdrop of reduced resources.

“From my perspective, [a lack of funding] creates a much greater imperative for us to work well together and in partnership with a lot of other agencies in the city, such as the council and other emergency services.

“Eighty per cent of the calls that come into police aren't related to crime. They are around concern for people, mental health, etc. So that is a big challenge for Scotland and Glasgow.

“It is why we're trying to take forward that public health approach to policing to address the demand and more importantly, to make sure that people who do need support get it from the relevant agencies.”

Meanwhile, the top cop also highlighted the impact title parties have is “not lost” on her after it was raised that football fans have been taking over city streets in their thousands at the end of each season.

In 2021, at least 55 Rangers fans were arrested after title celebrations at George Square. There was large-scale disorder, police officers attacked, vandalism and memorial benches were destroyed.

Each year since, Celtic fans have taken over streets in Merchant City. And following the most recent gathering in May, 19 people were arrested with four officers being injured.

Rangers fans at George Square (Image: Getty Images) Celtic fans at Merchant City (Image: Newsquest) “Way before my arrival [in this new role], we started to have conversations with the council and the clubs around how we might best manage celebrations,” CS Ratcliff said.

“This was to do two things; allow the fans to have a good celebration but minimise the impact on the city centre and the local community.

“And one of the things that we did talk about was trying to get a contained fan zone. We also explored with the clubs the possibility of doing something at the stadium, but we know that traditionally the fans want to celebrate in the city centre.

“In advance of the end of this season, we will revisit those discussions with the council and the clubs around a fan zone because without being bolshie about it, the police don't have any role in the planning or the organisation of those celebrations.

“Police Scotland comes in to try and make sure that those happen safely, that there’s as little crime as possible and to make sure that it goes as smoothly as possibly. Inevitably, there is some criminality and disorder. But the impact that it has in the local area isn't lost on me.”