EXCLUSIVE: Women offered self-defence classes after incidents in Baillieston
It comes in response to reports of women caught in incidents with men displaying threatening behaviour
A martial arts club in Baillieston is offering free self-defence classes to women, after a spate of incidents frightened the community.
Braveheart Martial Arts are offering a block of four sessions to women in the area in response to the allegations.
It was claimed that a woman was grabbed, and almost "dragged into a close" on Dyke Street.
Further allegations included that a young girl was followed by a group of men in the local Morrisons.
Police are assuring the public that the events were investigated and no criminality was found in either incident.
But criminal intent or not, Braveheart Martial Arts hopes the classes will instil some confidence back into local women.
The sessions run each Monday for the next four weeks, starting from tonight.
'It's sad that we have to do this'
Iain O'Hare and his business partners are running the classes.
Speaking exclusively to Clyde News, Iain explained the situation.
"It's sad that we have to do this, but we're doing it to help people - everyone's aware of their personal safety to a certain extent, but this hits home because it's happening right outside of our front doors.
"Hopefully nobody needs to use these skills, but if it gives people a bit of confidence, that's the main thing we want to achieve.
"I'm surprised how scared people were in the community, but I'm not surprised that so many people have come forward for the classes.
"People are definitely fearful because it wasn't happening at midnight, it's happening in broad daylight.
"Getting followed by anyone is intimidating, but a wee girl getting followed by a big male is horrendous... she's probably worried to leave the house."
No criminality established
However, Police Scotland is ensuring people in Baillieston that there is no risk to the public.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware there have been public concerns surrounding two incidents within the Baillieston area in the last few weeks.
“In relation to a report of a woman approached in Dyke Street, enquiries were carried out and no criminality was established.
“We are also aware of a reported incident in Morrison’s car park, which has been fully investigated with no criminality being established.
“These reported incidents were not linked and the local community should be assured that they were fully investigated, with there being no risk to the public.”
A wakeup call
Iain said he was "happy to hear" that no crimes were committed but that the panic felt by locals has acted as a wakeup call.
He said: "It's a good thing that a crime didn't happen, but the potential is that it could easily have happened.
"Everyone's innocent until proven guilty but in my opinion, if you're grabbing someone without their consent, you're guilty of something as you shouldn't be laying your hands on anyone.
"I think a lot of our younger members sometimes are naïve to what can happen, even though 99.9% of people won't harm you, there are some bad people in the word.
"Whether someone was charged or not in connection with these incidents, it doesn't make a difference to us.
"What's most important is people feel safe in their community and that people know they have a right to defend themselves."