Dozens of officers flooded the streets of central Glasgow yesterday following two months’ of intelligence gathering on illegal drug dealing networks.
A top cop has insisted Glasgow city centre remains a safe place to visit after police launched a crackdown yesterday on drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the area.
Chief Inspector Nigel Thacker denied complaints from local businesses were going ignored and described the policing operation around Central station and Clydeside as “significant”.
The local area commander spoke to the Record while dozens of officers began to patrol foot paths and side streets which had previously been identified as trouble hot-spots.
Three people were arrested in dawn raids on Wednesday morning in connection with Operation Carex, which was launched two months ago with the aim of disrupting drug dealing in central Glasgow.
It’s been estimated that around 500 addicts are routinely injecting drugs on city streets, with much of their contraband bought within walking distance of Scotland’s busiest railway station.
The Record reported this week how senior hospitality bosses have identified the streets adjoining Central station as being of particular concern and warned their current condition was off-putting to visitors.
One described finding it difficult to recruit staff to work evening shifts in bars and restaurants due to a perception of the city centre being unsafe.
But Thacker said yesterday’s operation was in part to offer reassurance to the public that the police are taking complaints seriously.
“Glasgow city centre is a safe place to visit,” he said.
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“We have a significant policing operation around the city centre which runs through the week, and we have additional police officers on patrol at the weekend, when we know there is increased risk within the area. That provides safety and support for communities.”
The Chief Inspector added: “Businesses absolutely have not been ignored. Our local policing teams, based within the city centre, work with businesses all the time. Policing plays a role in responding to their concerns, and of course partners do as well.”
Asked if drug dealing and misuse was becoming more of a problem within the city centre compared to outlying areas, he added: “We haven’t seen evidence to support that.
“Drug misuse continues to be a challenge across all of Scotland. What you’re seeing today is an operation dealing with specific concerns in this area.”
POLICE SCOTLAND GLASGOW
Pictured – General Views of Police Scotland G Division in Operation CareEX. Crack down on crime and Drug Dealing in Glasgow City centre. Chief Inspector Nigel Thacker interview with Daily Record Political Reporter Chris McCall
Pic Ross Turpie – Daily Record / Sunday Mail / Reach PLC(Image: Ross Turpie / Daily Record)
Thacker continued: “Being a national force, when we need to, we are able to pull in resources when we need to.
“It’s not just a one-off activity.”
Official figures released in September showed Scotland had retained its position at the top of the drug death league table for Europe, with 1,017 fatalities last year – an average of nearly three a day.
Glasgow has the highest number of drug-related deaths in the country, amid concern over the rise of a new breed of synthetic opioids which mimic the effect of heroin.
The UK’s first and so far only drug consumption room opened in the east end of the city in January, following years of legal wrangling.
The Thistle, which is funded by the SNP Government, to reduce overdoses and drug-related harm as well as making drug use less visible to the community.
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