YOUTHS loitering in large groups at Glasgow's Central station have been warned they will be forcibly removed by police.

YOUTHS loitering in large groups at Glasgow's Central station have been warned they will be forcibly removed by police.

Network Rail and British Transport Police are launching a crackdown at Scotland's busiest railway station after a spate of incidents of serious anti-social behaviour at weekends - including attacks on staff.

Police warned that any groups caught loitering on the station concourse will be broken up and moved on using legal dispersal powers.

The station has become a meeting point for groups of up to 250 young people, mostly black-clad goth teenagers, throughout Saturdays and Sundays.

Police say the problem has led to several incidents of staff being verbal and physically abused and damage to station property.

Rail bosses say the crowds are also intimidating passengers and causing congestion in the concourse at exits and entrances.

Under railway bylaws, Network Rail and police have the power to disperse any group loitering on station property without an intention to travel or use the shops.

David Simpson, Network Rail's route director for Scotland, said: "The safety and well-being of station users is our paramount consideration.

"We will remove any group whose behaviour or presence is deemed inappropriate to the station environment or a risk to the travelling public.

"While we would prefer not to have to use our legal powers, we have been left with little option but to do so, due to the increasing numbers of people and their bad behaviour.

"We are not targeting any one age group, or social group, and will apply our legal rights to anyone loitering without a proper purpose or acting in an intimidating or inappropriate manner."

Network Rail says the problem has also led to an increase in litter at the station and places an additional strain on station staff and cleaners to pick up waste and manage the crowds.

Inspector Bob McDonald, of British Transport Police, said: "We support Network Rail in implementing these measures.

"Passengers and staff should not have to be confronted by any kind of anti-social behaviour on the rail network.

"They should be able to use the station and go about their daily business normally and without hindrance."

A recent investigation showed violent attacks at Central station are on the increase, with almost a third of serious crimes going unsolved.

According to the figures obtained last year by the Evening Times, 31% of violent crime in Central Station goes unpunished.

Of 80 violent offences in the station between April 2007 and March 2008, only 55 were dealt with by the authorities.

But British Transport Police defended the figures, saying its clear-up rates were still beating national targets.

Police to remove troublemakers at station after rail staff attacked
IAIN JARDINE, 17, City Centre, student: I think a crackdown is probably a good idea. Some young kids do cause problems, but the majority of people should not be persecuted for doing nothing at all wrong."	AMANDA THORNTON, 37, Cambuslang, account manager: "I don't think there's a problem. Kids are just hanging around meeting their friends. I'm here every day and don't see people being bothered."	DAVID LESLIE, 19, Cardonald, student: "Kids often use this as a meeting point but don't always hang about. Sometimes they do but don't often cause people any trouble. I don't see any point in bothering the kids."	KEVIN McINTYRE, 29, East Kilbride, film producer: "Kids hang around because there is a lot going on. It's part of the social setting of the city centre. If people aren't causing a problem, then I don't see a problem."