SELFISH litter louts were today warned there will be no hiding place as the battle to clean up the city steps up a gear.

SELFISH litter louts were today warned there will be no hiding place as the battle to clean up the city steps up a gear.

The crackdown came as it was revealed a massive 15,000 car tyres were dumped at two sites in the East End.

CO-OP STATEMENT ON LITTERING

"THERE have been problems in the past with litter outside the Co-operative food store at 470 Great Western Road and staff have taken a number of steps to rectify this.

"Despite our best efforts, our two large lockable bins were regularly broken into, resulting in litter being scattered on the pavement.

"Therefore we have now invested in heavy-duty chains to ensure the bins are secure. They are also positioned under the store's external CCTV cameras.

"In addition, trade waste, recyclable materials and delivery packaging are not left outside the store and staff sweep the pavement three to four times a day to ensure any litter dropped by passers-by is lifted.

"As a responsible retailer, the Co-operative Group takes the issue of waste very seriously and we are keen to work with the council on its Clean Glasgow campaign. We are confident that the improvements we have carried out will address its concerns."

The cost of removing them was a staggering £43,000.

Now the people behind the Clean Glasgow campaign - which was launched in February last year - have vowed to get tough.

Its aim is to make the city a better place for people to live and work, children to play and everyone to visit.

But a progress report to go before councillors on Wednesday will call for more action. Council bosses will reveal how they will hammer those still making the city a mess -such as the tyre dumpers, fly-tippers, a West End shop ... and cockroaches.

In one area, undercover cameras will even be used to catch fly-tippers.

And an investigation has been launched to bring the tyre dumpers to court.

Around 5000 were cleared from a site to the east of Springfield Road and a further 10,000 from Mordaunt Street in Dalmarnock.

Tyres can no longer be dumped in landfill sites and have to be collected by a registered waste carrier to be disposed of properly.

However, instead of paying to have them removed, some unscrupulous dealers are dumping tyres on waste sites.

Meanwhile, the Co-op became the 26th firm in the West End to be hit with a tough street litter control notice.

Robert Booth, the council's executive director of land and environmental services, said: "We encountered regular problems here relating to litter. Several £50 fixed penalty notices were issued to the shop and were paid but there was no improvement in the situation."

Co-op bosses appealed against the litter notice but their case was thrown out.

As a result, it could be hit with a £2500 fine if litter problems arise in the future.

In Anderston, letters had to be sent out to 1100 homes asking people to help solve the problems of dog fouling, litter, domestic and bulk fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Wardens are to target the area for dog fouling and littering and there will be a crack down on fly-tipping.

People in Thornden Lane and Ardsloy Place in the West End complained about graffiti, weeds, litter and fly-tipping of domestic and bulk waste.

Council cleansing staff moved in and cleared 100 bags of rubbish. Now graffiti will be cleaned up and local people will be asked to co-operate with the council when disposing of rubbish.

In the South East, the council is to offer a free service to people whose homes are infested with German cockroaches which can grow up to eight inches long and can lay 50 eggs at a time.

Mr Booth said: "Given the high instance of cockroach infestation in Govanhill, a limited free treatment service is appropriate."

In the past, anyone who was overrun with cockroaches was told to contact a private pest control firm.

Action is also to be taken to tackle fly tipping in the South West of the city.Environmental staff plan to search rubbish dumped in Clifford Lane, Cessnock, to try to find those responsible and an undercover camera will be used in a bid to catch major fly tippers.

Council land and environmental services spokesman Euan McLeod said: "This report makes it clear there is no let-up in the Clean Glasgow campaign or the strong enforcement measures being taken to confront environmental crime.

"This update shows our officers using the full range of powers available to them to challenge individuals, communities and corporate names to clean up their acts and share responsibility for making neighbourhoods, cleaner and safer places for all.

£8200 grant to create garden

COUNCILLORS will also be told on Wednesday that a group has been awarded £8200 to create a community garden in East Pollokshields which will benefit hundreds of local people.

The green space, which is roughly the size of Hampden Park, lies behind four high-rise flats in Pollokshields.

The project will involve recruiting local volunteers to clean up the space and plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

Some if these will act as a butterfly garden, and a footpath network, fencing and seating will also be installed.