WATCH & LISTEN: New Police Squad To Patrol River Clyde

Police Scotland has stepped up its patrol of an eight-mile stretch of Glasgow’s River Clyde by establishing a dedicated Riverside Unit aimed at making the Clydeside a safer place to live, work and visit.

The bespoke 15-strong team will comprise officers patrolling both sides of the river on bicycles and foot from Dalmarnock to Scotstoun to improve public safety whilst tackling anti-social behaviour (alcohol and drugs), robberies and break-ins.

The team will become a permanent fixture to the riverside following a six-month pilot last year when officers detected 885 crimes in the area. This represents an overall rise in detections by 35 per cent on the previous year for offences including anti-social behaviour and drugs. From April to November 2014, sexual crime decreased by eight per cent when compared to the similar period in 2013.

Our reporter Connor Gillies has met Sgt Darren Hughes, the officer in charge of the Unit:

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Crime rates in Glasgow continue to fall thanks to the hard work of our colleagues at Police Scotland. We’re delighted to have been able to contribute towards the funding for the new Riverside Unit and I look forward to welcoming the enhanced police presence around the Clydeside.”

Gerry McInally, Venue Service Manager, SECC, said:

“We are delighted to part of this initiative and look forward to seeing our local cycle officers patrolling our site on a regular basis. This is a very effective and visible way of policing the Clydeside and will provide reassurance for the local residents and businesses and of course the night time economy.

By way of interest, my father served with the city of Glasgow Police for 30 years and in those days all the patrols were by pedal cycle or on foot. After all these years the pedal cycle is still an effective mode of transport for police forces.”

Sgt Hughes concluded:

“A significant amount of money has been spent on regenerating the Clydeside and the refurbishment of areas such as the Broomielaw and the entertainment sector at the SECC and Springfield Quay making the area a more attractive area to visit and spend time.

“We want to encourage communities to make use of the area and hope that the regular patrols carried out by the riverside policing team will help make sure that those who use the riverside area can do so safely and peacefully.”