MORE police should be put on the streets of Glasgow until men who carried out recent sex attacks are caught, according to a Glasgow MSP.

Anne McTaggart told the Justice Secretary she had joined thousands of women and men in the South Side f or a midnight walk on Monday protesting against recent attacks on women.

The Glasgow Labour MSP wanted to know what was being done to catch the culprits and wanted assurances that officers will be on the streets and not doing admin duties.

She asked Kenny MacAskill if there were sufficient resources to allow people to feel safe.

She said: "I joined thousands of Glaswegians who want to reclaim the streets from sex offenders."

Ms McTaggart then asked: "Can the Cabinet Secretary detail additional measures in place to apprehend those responsible? Will a greater number of police officers be on our streets until the perpetrators are caught?"

She asked if Mr MacAskill would commit to publishing details of how many officers were actually patrolling streets.

Mr MacAskill said he wouldn't "bandy around statistics".

Instead he said: "It's important we allow the police to get on with their job.

"What we are here to do is to support those carrying out the investigations."

Kelvin SNP MSP Sandra White, whose constituency includes the Merchant City, where a woman was attacked at the weekend, also asked about additional support for the investigations.

Mr MacAskill said every effort was being made to catch the offenders and said there had been an increase in officers in Govanhill and other areas.

He said: "Glasgow has a divisional rape investigation unit.

"It can be supported by the National Rape Taskforce and Scottish Police Forensic service when required.

"Police Scotland is viewing this with the upmost seriousness."

Mr MacAskill said he was meeting with representatives of Rape Crisis in the city today and said he would listen to any concerns they raise with him.

Other politicians in the city expressed concern about heightened fear within the community following a recent spate of sex attacks. Soryia Siddique, Labour Councillor for Southside Central, said she had also been worried about a recent increase in fear of crime in the area.

She said: "The recent rapes in Toryglen and Govanhill have enhanced the degree of anxiety and fear of crime, specifically within the female population."

Following the midnight march she said: "I would like to request enhanced policing and focus in Govanhill, possibly through a strategy including detection engagement and reassurance of residents to raise confidence within the community."