A SOUTH SIDE ­community has been revealed as the worst in Glasgow for fly-tipping.

But now residents in Pollokshields are hitting back against the litter louts ­dirtying their streets.

New figures show the area suffers twice the level of fly-tipping as the rest of Glasgow.

And, during July this year, that rose to five times the city average.

Every month there are around 109 reports of fly-tipping and littering reports in the community, double the Glasgow average.

In July, there were around 225 complaints of illegal dumping to the council and, in April, slightly more than 200.

But local councillors, residents and community groups have been putting pressure on Glasgow City Council to remedy the problem.

And bosses have created an action plan to tackle the amount of waste being dumped on local streets.

Local councillor David Meikle said: "As a local Councillor for Pollokshields ward, I am very concerned by these figures.

"The fact there are more than 100 reports of litter and fly-tipping per month in Pollokshields is alarming even more so when it is double the Glasgow average.

"It is clear from surveys that the local - law-abiding - residents are also concerned and want cleaner streets, so we all need to work together to achieve that.

"I'm also disappointed that out of the 21 wards in the city, Pollokshields tops the table in terms of complaints about litter and fly-tipping.

"I therefore welcome ­recent efforts by the council and other agencies to produce an Action Plan and tackle the problem."

Fly-tipping has risen significantly in 2013 in Pollokshields, prompting the Pollokshields Area Partnership to demand action.

Since the issue was highlighted in May, the number of incidents has fallen.

But locals still claim fly-tipping is a major issue - and the figures back them up.

The Pollokshields ward has the highest number of fly-tipping reports across the 21 ward areas, accounting for 13% of the total ­reports across Glasgow in 2013.

The worst hit streets include Melville Street, Shields Road, Maxwell Road, Kenmure Street and Herriet Street, which ­accounted for 30% of all ­reports across the Pollokshields ward during 2013.

Now Glasgow City Council is working with Police Scotland and Community Safety Glasgow (CSG) to clear up the ward.

They have printed their findings in an action plan pledging to clear the area of litter and graffiti while urging local people to play their part in cleaning up the community.

Mr Meikle added: "Pollokshields is a very pro-active community and local people and the three local councillors have been putting pressure on the city council by lobbying it to act.

"People want to know what they can do to make things better but it is difficult to ask people to shop their neighbours and sometimes there is a language barrier, which makes things even more difficult.

"Pollokshields is not one of the areas traditionally associated with fly-tipping and I wonder if, while they have been putting resources into other areas, the council has taken its eye off the ball here.

"But the new action plan looks very positive and shows an attempt to work with other agencies, such as the police and fire service, which is to be welcomed."

The council's Land and Environmental Services department has also printed out 1000 leaflets to be posted in all tenements in the area.

They show locals how to legally dispose of their bulk items and will also be put up in madrasas, churches, ­primary schools, shops and the local library.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "This sort of anti-social behaviour has a negative impact on the Pollokshields area and should not be tolerated.

"The selfish and illegal ­actions of a minority of ­people means that a small number of areas in the city do ­experience fly-tipping.

"Enforcement staff carry out surveillance at known fly-tipping sites in order to try and control this unacceptable behaviour. Fixed penalty notices of £50 may be ­issued for fly-tipping.

"Major offenders may be referred to the Procurator Fiscal without the opportunity of paying a Fixed ­Penalty Notice and can face a fine of up to £40,000 by the courts.

"We would urge anyone with information about fly-tipping in Pollokshields, or indeed incidents around the city, to call Clean Glasgow on 0800 027 7027.

"The council also operates a bulk uplift service which is free of charge to all Glasgow residents."

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk