Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
A BUSY square in Glasgow has been labelled a “very dangerous” place, with bosses telling their staff not to work late.
St Enoch Square, in the city centre, is said to be “attracting undesirables”, with locals saying it’s “just not safe”.
Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter
Thank you!
Cops recently swooped on St Enoch as part of a huge drugs bustCredit: Tom Farmer
The sting – dubbed Operation Carex – is designed to disrupt crack cocaine and heroin pushing in the cityCredit: Tom Farmer
Those who work in the area have noticed a rise in rug use and antisocial behaviour at the square and nearby Howard Street and Maxwell Street.
And it has prompted bosses to urge staff not to work late or go out at night alone, whilst also making sure office doors are guarded at all times.
Dalvir Johal, from Ballantyne & Co Chartered Accountants, said making sure his workers get home safely has become a new reality for him.
He opened up about changes he has had to implement recently, as he called for a new Radisson Hotel to be built in the area.
SNOW WAY!
Exact date Scotland set for fresh snowfall as temperatures set to drop to -7C
SICK HOAX
Struck off Scots teacher who faked cancer & her own death is STILL tutoring kids
Mr Johal said a new hotel on Maxwell Street, behind the St Enoch Centre, could improve the area at a Glasgow City Council planning applications committee.
According to The Herald, he said: “As an employer, I have had to actively change how we operate simply to reduce the risks to my team.
I now ask staff not to work late just so they can get home safely. That is not a position any employer should be in
Dalvir Johal, from Ballantyne & Co Chartered Accountants
“I now ask staff not to work late just so they can get home safely.
“That is not a position any employer should be in, especially in the centre of a major city.”
Most read in The Scottish Sun
He went on to say that “public drug use”, crime and anti-social behaviour have increased recently, and blamed closing businesses and falling footfall.
Calling for a tougher police presence, Mr Johal added: “The individuals who work on the door of our offices are having to guard our doors so that there is no unauthorised entry.
“It just feels very dangerous at the moment.”
Councillor Imran Allam agreed that increased crime is “off-putting for people who live and work in that area”, adding: “No business should have to ask their staff to leave home early.”
Alison Sanders used to work on Maxwell Street and said she felt unsafe walking around the area as a woman.
She also called for the current B-listed dilapidated buildings to be demolished and replaced with a Radisson Hotel.
She said: “The area itself has declined, and I would think twice about walking along the street, especially as a woman.
“To walk along there at night is not something I would choose to do. In this state, the area attracts undesirables, and the street is just not safe.”
As a woman, to walk along there at night is not something I would choose to do… the street is just not safe
Alison Sanders, used to work on Maxwell Street
It comes after police recently swooped on St Enoch Square as part of major drug raids across Glasgow.
The force seized more than £17,000 worth of drugs after descending on several areas in the city in a “relentless” crackdown last Thursday.
Officers from Greater Glasgow Division’s Serious and Organised Crime Proactive Team, backed by local cops and specialist units, swooped on addresses in the Gorbals, Possilpark, Cambuslang and Maryhill.
And they uncovered a stash of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth up to £17,270, along with £5,450 in cash.
Three men, aged 33, 23 and 21, were arrested during the raid on Wednesday and charged in connection with drugs offences and appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, 13 November.
DRUGS SEIZED
WE joined officers on on a raid last week in Glasgow’s Gorbals as other busts took place in the city’s Maryhill and Possil, as well as in Cambuslang.
More than 20 officers hit the streets throughout the day — patrolling the city centre and Clydeside in a bid to choke off the supply of drugs feeding Glasgow’s underworld.
At the time, Detective Inspector Tam Carey said: “Today’s activity forms part of sustained, intelligence-led work to target those involved in the supply of drugs within the Glasgow city centre.
“We will use every tactic available to gather evidence, identify offenders and dismantle the networks that exploit vulnerable people and profit from harm.
“Drug dealing and associated criminality have a devastating impact, and we will continue to take action to disrupt those responsible and bring them to justice.”
The sting – dubbed Operation Carex – is designed to disrupt crack cocaine and heroin pushing that’s plaguing the streets just as families prepare to visit the Winter Wonderland attractions.
Chief Inspector Nigel Thacker previously said: “We know that drug activity in the city centre can impact on those who live, work and visit the area and it contributes to wider safety concerns.
“We work closely with our partners, including Glasgow City Council, local businesses, and support services, to tackle drug-related crime and ensure anyone who is vulnerable receives the help and safeguarding they need.
“This operation highlights our ongoing commitment to keeping the city centre safe and we will continue to take firm but proportionate action against those involved in criminality.
“We also cannot do this alone.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
‘I’m not just saying it’
Foreign-based star desperate to gatecrash Scotland World Cup squad
JAIL TAPE
Bombshell recordings reveal whinging of schoolboy who murdered Orkney waiter
“The support of the public is vital – if you have concerns about drug activity or other crime in the city centre, please contact Police Scotland on 101, or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Glasgow City Council has been approached for comment.
Locals in Glasgow have shared their concerns about the area around St Enouch SquareCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd