POLICE have increased patrols after a cleaner was stabbed in a "brutal and callous" unprovoked attack as she walked to work.

The 55-year-old woman is seriously ill in hospital after she was attacked at around 6am yesterday outside Dixons Blazes Industrial Unit in the Gorbals area.

The woman was contracted by firms including alcohol wholesalers Matthew Clark and Matthew Algae Coffee. Her husband is also understood to work as a cleaner at the estate. 

Detectives are not ruling out a link to an earlier incident in Laurieston Street on Tuesday evening and have stepped up patrols in the area.

The suspect is described as a white man, with a medium height and build, aged between 20 and 30 years old and was possibly wearing a red jacket.

A significant police presence remained at the scene, including specialist forensic teams. Officers were carrying out door-to-door enquiries and checking CCTV in the area. 

One employee, who works for Matthew Algae, said: “She worked here but she was contracted to clean for Matthew Algae and Matthew Clark. Her husband does the same thing. We always would see them late at night.”

Another worker said: “We were just called and told not to come in. I’ve worked here 19 years and there’s never been anything like this.”

One local worker posted online: “Cleaning woman stabbed up the Dixons blazes at 6am this morning , absolutely shocking....I’ve heard people saying that’s the third unprovoked stabbing in the Gorbals over the past few days.

hat’s going on? Really worried as I’m out myself early in the morning.”
Detective Inspector Colin Hailstones, from Cathcart CID, said: “This woman was stabbed in a brutal and callous attack as she made her way to work. 

"The motive is not known at this time and police are currently treating the incident as an unprovoked attack. 

“Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries and checking CCTV in the area. 

"A significant police presence remains at the scene of the incident, including specialist forensic teams, as part of the ongoing inquiry. 

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information that will help police with enquiries to come forward and contact us. 

"The information you may have may not seem like much, but as part of our larger inquiry, it could make all the difference to our investigation."

Chief Inspector Graham McInarlin, Area Commander for Glasgow South, said today: “I would like to reassure those in the local community that officers are doing all they can to trace the person responsible. 

"Detectives from Cathcart CID are currently progressing the inquiry which is currently being supported by uniformed officers. 

“We are increasing our high visibility patrols in the area and that level of resource will be maintained. Please contact us with any information and please speak to our officers who will be patrolling the area.” 

Anyone with information can contact officers at Cathcart CID via 101 or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence