FRESH calls have been made for CCTV to be installed in a city centre park due to anti social behaviour. 

Residents in Garnethill are making renewed pleas for the cameras to be installed by Garnethill Park, on Hill Street, in an effort to deter illegal activity particularly near the children's play area. 

At a Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch (GNW) meeting on the evening of Tuesday, September 3, residents shared their concerns with attending police officers and councillor Philip Braat. 

Bill Beckett, chairperson of GNW, says there are issues at the park "day and night" involving drug and alcohol use with drug paraphernalia having been found near the 'pyramid'.

Mr Beckett says there have been incidents of people shouting racist abuse at residents, someone trying to set fire to a fence, and even assaults, with one young woman seen leaving the park with her face covered in blood last month. 

Garnethill Park

He says "children are being deprived of the park" and many parents have been left scared to take their children there. 

One resident said: "There's stuff happening in the park and surrounding area ever single day and there's a lot of anti-social behaviour. 

"Every time I walk past there's people drinking."

Another resident says it is "intimidating" to walk by the park at night. 

Sgt Amer Mohammed encouraged residents to report any incidents to police so they can build a picture to be more proactive with patrols of the area if it is deemed necessary. 

He also said if CCTV was installed any footage would be used to assist officers investigating crimes. 

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Now, a petition has been launched asking for CCTV to make it "safer for all especially our children". 

Cllr Braat said: "I am generally supportive of the community’s request for a CCTV camera to be installed at or near Garnethill Park.

"I am aware that a previous petition to the council was rejected a number of years ago on the basis of cost and need at that stage.

"However, considering that there has been an unabated concern from residents over the years regarding ongoing and serious incidents in and around the park, I believe there is a case to have the matter reviewed.

"As for cost implications, I am sensitive to the wider public sector funding crisis that is impacting all local authorities as well as our valued blue light services, whose resources have dwindled over the last decade and more due to public sector finance cuts, thereby impairing the vital services they so desperately wish to provide to our communities.

"But what small cost, if it provides the community with some reassurance and police colleagues with the ability to monitor and intervene in an ongoing event or at least provides them with evidence to identify perpetrators."

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We previously reported a petition was launched in 2018 calling for CCTV in the area which gained more than 600 signatures.

However, council bosses claimed assessment of the site did not justify video surveillance.

In 2020, residents again asked for CCTV to be installed, but Mr Beckett says they are still awaiting a response from the council. 

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "We will engage with Police Scotland and the community council to gather relevant information and intelligence in regards to the concerns raised.

"This will ensure that an informed decision can be taken on the most appropriate service response.

"In order for CCTV to be considered, we would need to ensure there is clear justification and any service response is proportionate."

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "We are aware of some reports of anti-social behaviour in the Garnethill Park area of Glasgow and carry out regular patrols in the area, on top of any required enforcement action.

"We continue to work closely with our partners in the local authority to explore crime prevention measures."

 

You can view the petition at https://chng.it/PPY8npddMg