Glasgow city police charge 20 for drug offences as part of crime crackdown

Glasgow police arrested and charged 20 people over drug offences and dealing as part of a crime crackdown, which saw new streets added to an exclusion zone.

The operation, which targeted Bridge Street and Carlton Place south of the river and the St Enoch area, also led to 26 men and women being charged over anti-social behaviour, including carrying weapons.

In total, 46 men and women aged between 16 and 28 were reported to the Procurator Fiscal after the operation, which ran from September 27 to November 20.

Suspects are now banned from entering Carlton Place, Bridge Street and the surrounding area as the neighbourhood has been added to the city centre exclusion zone.

There is also a continued police presence in the neighbourhood.

We previously reported how a police inspector warned that teens were being forced to sell drugs in the streets and fake delivery workers acted as spotters.

Local councillor Soryia Siddique has welcomed the progress after Police Scotland shared an update with her on action taking place.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “From Friday, September 27 to 20 November 2024, officers in Glasgow carried out an operation to address concerns regarding drug dealing and anti-social behaviour around the Bridge Street, Carlton Place and St Enoch areas.

“As a result, a total of 46 men and women aged between 16 and 28 years were reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Twenty of those people were arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences including drug dealing. The other 26 men and women were charged in connection with a number of offences of anti-social behaviour including possession of offensive weapons.

“All of those arrested in connection with drug dealing offences are due to appear in court at a later date and have bail conditions excluding them from entering the city centre.”

Southside Central councillor Siddique, Labour, said: “I welcome the progress update from Police Scotland regarding Bridge Street and Carlton Place.

“Hopefully, with further focus and partnership working with local communities and stakeholders, there will be further progress, and communities will benefit from feeling safer and better. This should be complemented by the commitments to environmental improvements by Glasgow City Council.”