Glasgow dispersal zone set to continue until December

Glasgow’s dispersal zone is set to continue until December as police look at establishing premises in the Four Corners area.

A police report said dispersal powers have been used 1,362 times since their introduction in March, and 75 people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal after returning to the area despite being ordered to leave.

Initially, it was approved until June 20.

Greater Glasgow Police chief superintendent Emma Croft said the decision has been taken to extend the dispersal zone until December to support work under way.

The area covered includes Union Street, St Enoch Square and the Four Corners, where there are concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

Chief superintendent Croft told the Safe Glasgow meeting on Tuesday in the city chambers that there is a focus on “ensuring (police) visibility and “taking action where appropriate”.

Addressing councillors, she said Police Scotland are now considering what phase two will look like as officers are “looking at systemic issues”.

The divisional commander raised the possibility of the police occupying premises in the Four Corners area to “increase” visibility, working with (council) enforcement officers and third sector partners.

Pointing to the underlying issues behind criminal behaviour, she said it is about providing signposting to services and looking at what support people need.

The dispersal zone covers an area bounded by St Vincent Place, Glassford Street/Stockwell Street, the far side of the riverbank and York Street/West Campbell Street.

It gives officers the power to order groups of two or more to leave the designated area if their behaviour is “impacting on the safety and well-being” of others.

Those moved on are banned from returning for 24 hours.