Glasgow traffic wardens told to report drug dealers at crime hotspot

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 11:33 · Archive

Traffic wardens in Glasgow say they have been ordered to report drug dealers and violent offenders at a notorious city centre junction.

Traffic wardens in Glasgow have been ordered to report drug dealers and violent offenders they spot while patrolling the Four Corners area, a crime hotspot near the junction of Argyle Street and Jamaica Street in the city centre.

The enforcement officers have raised concerns with the GMB Union about the task. David Hume, GMB organiser in Glasgow City Council, said wardens already face 'horrific abuse and aggression' every day on the streets, including being spat on, threatened and physically assaulted. He described parking attendants as 'lone workers - often women - in uniform, being asked to patrol streets that have become synonymous with trouble and disorder'. He argued that managers should work to reduce risks rather than adding to them.

The concerns emerged following a BBC documentary that showed attacks, open drug dealing and clashes between groups of youths at the Four Corners. Police have since extended a city centre dispersal zone in the area, where groups of two or more people posing a risk to public safety can be banned for 24 hours. A police chief has raised the possibility of establishing a permanent police base in the Four Corners area to increase visibility.

How it is being reported

• Glasgow traffic wardens 'ordered to spy on drug dealers' at notorious four cornersTraffic wardens working in Glasgow city centre have been told to "spy on drug dealers and thugs" at the notorious Four CornersGlasgow Times · 22 Oct, 10:41
• Glasgow traffic wardens 'ordered to spy on drug dealers' at notorious crime hotspotFurious enforcement officers say bosses have put a “target on their backs”.Glasgow Live · 22 Oct, 09:07

In this story: Glasgow · Four Corners · GMB Union · David Hume · Scottish Police Federation · BBC

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