Councillor claims gangs are causing terror in Calton

The claims were made today by community leaders in Calton, who say there is also increased activity in the area by drug dealers as well as prostitutes.

But Calton's top policeman has played down local fears by saying most of the complaints made by the public over the summer have been about noise and street drinking.

However, calls have been made for a taskforce to tackle claims of violence and anti-social behaviour.

It is part of an action plan drawn up by councillor Yvonne Kucuk and community activists with Calton Area Association (CAA) who claim gangs from Bridgeton and Gorbals often clash on the area's streets.

They say residents have complained that windows have been smashed and that some gang members are armed with knives.

Councillor Kucuk said: "The community know who they are and we are prepared give any information we have to the police if it helps bring an end to the gang trouble.

"If I have to I'll name and shame them until it stops."

She believes that locals need to take greater responsibility by speaking more to the police and she is prepared to press local landlords to throw out tenants and families involved in anti-social behaviour.

She said: "If we can go after their tenancies then I think we should."

The Labour politician added: "I come from the Calton. These are good people, great people, but I feel the majority are suffering because of the actions of the minority."

Thenue Housing is one of the East End's biggest landlords and officials have shown in the past they will be tough with troublesome tenants.

Not only would officials consider getting involved on a taskforce but a spokesman said Thenue was helping to create safer communities through its regeneration work.

He said: "We are firmly of the view that our tenants want to live in a vibrant, safe area and as a housing provider which is deeply rooted in the life of the communities we serve we endeavour to achieve that."

And he warned: "We work closely with Glasgow Community and Safety Services to investigate allegations of anti-social behaviour and with the police on matters of crime.

"We have evicted drug dealers in the past and our tenants would expect us to deal decisively where there is evidence of crime or anti-social behaviour affecting tenancies and the wellbeing of others."

Local residents are said to be sick of the gang fights and have complained to community leaders of battles in the Templeton car park and in and around Abercromby Street.

Residents claim they have had windows put in and community doors at blocks of flats vandalised. Many complain of feeling unsafe.

And families despair over the use of illegal drugs.

CAA chairwoman Betty Cosgrove said: "We are told by local residents that there is drug dealing going on throughout the area and it seems to be getting worse.

"People repeatedly claim that dealers are openly selling drugs in the street."

She and her fellow community activists have been told that dealers are delivering illegal hauls on pedal bikes and racing off across derelict land if a police car is spotted.

Prostitution is also blighting the Calton with residents complaining eastern European immigrants are joining drug addicts to tout for business.

Mrs Cosgrove said: "Locals say they stand at bus stops and any who are questioned by the police simply say they are waiting for a bus.

"Parents are particularly worried that kerb crawlers will approach their young daughters.

"People don't like what's happening and are talking about moving out of the area. They don't feel safe and worry about their families."

Mrs Cosgrove and fellow activists as well as Councillor Kucuk want to see the launch of a Calton taskforce to help tackle the area's problems and attract investment through job creation and training.

Councillor Kucuk said: "We want a taskforce that addresses the wishes of local residents who simply want problems such as gang fighting, prostitution and drug dealing tackled.

"Locals just want a peaceful life and a better quality of life. But a lot of people tell us that they are now embarrassed to live in the area."

Mrs Cosgrove added: "They tell me and my committee how they want to see better employmentopportunities for themselves and their children and the chance to take up further education courses.

"We all want to see businesses coming into the area and it would be great if we could attract more companies and more apprenticeships for our young ones."

She and the others want to see the lack of investment addressed.

Thousands of pounds are already being used to partially regenerate the area with cash incentives being offered to businesses to upgrade shop fronts in the Gallowgate as part of regeneration plans for the Barras market area.

Glasgow Community & Safety Services (GSS), a joint initiative by the police and Glasgow City Council, operates across the city and officials admit there are ongoing attempts to overcome some of the problems highlighted by Calton's residents.

A spokesman said: "GCSS has increased community officer patrols in the Calton area and we are highlighting any issues at the staff daily briefing. Routes Out, our dedicated service that tackles prostitution, is also deploying the outreach services at the times that the community have highlighted."

"We will continue to work with the community and partners to target the areas and people that are causing concern."

DAVID Pettigrew is the police commander responsible for the Calton area, and he is anxious to dispel fears of major disorder.

"This is not a picture of the Carlton area that I or any of my community policing officers recognises.

"In the past three months, calls to the police have in the vast majority of cases been in relation to low level disorder such as noise complaints or street drinking.

"Over the summer months it is not unexpected to receive an increase in reports of youth disorder.

"Through engagement with 'Routes Out' we have no indication that there has been an increase in street workers from outside the UK.

"In the last three months we have received only one complaint from a member of the public in relation to prostitution in the Calton area.

"We have a co-ordinated, intelligence led approach to any drug dealing in the area and officers on foot or cycle patrol regularly target anyone they suspect is involved in selling drugs in the area."

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk