YOU’RE NOT Topcopmakespledge to homeless over stop and search policy in city
GLASGOW city centre’s top cop has insisted his officers are not overusing the powers of stop and search to target homeless people.
However, Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland warned that an area known as the ‘four corners,’ where rough sleepers often gather, is a hotspot for violent crime and disorder.
And the Area Commander has vowed to crack down on the criminals, whether they are homeless or not.
Homelessness charities in Glasgow have previously claimed that police were unfairly targeting rough sleepers.
Sandy Farquharson, Director of The Marie Trust, in Midland Street, contacted the force about the use of stop and search outside the centre, which he has described as “heavy-handed, unreasonable and excessive.”
Lorraine McGrath, chief executive of Simon Community Scotland, which sends out a street team every night, added that homeless people are “stigmatised” by police.
Chief Inspector Sutherland defended his officers against the criticism.
“There is absolutely no directive regarding homeless people in terms of stop and search,” he insisted.
“We have absolutely no desire to target homeless people in terms of stop and search.
“If we have an area which is showing excessive numbers of violent incidents or antisocial behaviour incidents it is only right and proportional that we would look to increase our stop and search in that area but that’s absolutely not designed to target to homeless people.
“It will be intelligence-led and based on information we have at that time.
“The areas move from time to time depending on where we have issues.”
The city centre area commander admitted that the force is in a constant battle against violent criminals in parts of the city centre.
He said: “The area known often as the four corners continues to be a problematic area for violent crime.
“I’m talking about from Gordon Street, down Union Street to Argyle Street into Midland Street.
“It’s one of our most problematic areas.
“While it continues to be a problematic area for violent crime it’s only right for the Glasgow public that we continue to have a high presence i n there and continue to use appropriate policing tactics.
“At the moment the four corners and the surrounding area remains an issue in tween promoting the health and wellbeing of the homeless community and trying to, where we can, refer those who are vulnerable on to other agencies.
“We also have to ensure there is no negative impact in terms of antisocial behaviour. Rough sleeping is technically not illegal.
“There are a number of offences which can be committed under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act, such as obstructing the footpath.
“There is also some antisocial behaviour legislation which could be brought into play with regards to homelessness but there is no specific legislation for sleeping rough.
“Often what can be found where there are a number of homeless people sleeping, or if they remain for a period of time, they can gather up bedding, there can be an issue with urinating and