Cops to crack down on booze carnage at park

A SERIES of changes will be made to Kelvingrove Park this summer in a bid to crack down on boozy revellers taking to the West End beauty spot.

Glasgow City Council has teamed up with Police Scotland to enforce the changes, which aim to curb levels of anti-social behaviour seen at the park in recent weeks.

To help manage the open space more effectively on days when large numbers are anticipated, officers will be stationed at park entrances with the primary aim of preventing alcohol from being brought into public space.

Additionally, gates will be closed on a temporary basis on specific days when visitors will be channelled towards six gates at the north, south, east and west of the park. At these points, checks will be conducted by community enforcement officers and police.

This means that anybody who attempts to enter the park with alcohol will either be asked to dispose of it or be refused entry.

The local authority has announced that two additional CCTV cameras will also be installed within the park to ensure that it remains a safe space.

George Gillespie, executive director at Glasgow City Council, said: “Kelvingrove Park is a fantastic asset for Glasgow and must remain a safe place for everyone who wishes to visit.

“Unfortunately, alcohol-fuelled disorder has caused fear and alarm in the past, but last year’s intervention to stem alcohol from being consumed in the park made a big difference.

“Having enforcement officers and police waiting at a limited number of entrances to prevent alcohol coming into Kelvingrove helped to make a visit to the park a far more positive experience.

“This year we will only be limiting the number of open gates when we have to.

“But if we have reason to believe large numbers will gather we can move quickly to have staff waiting at entrances to remind visitors of our park rules that indicate alcohol is not welcome in Kelvingrove.” it