Latest news with #SafeGlasgowPartnership
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
'Teens are carrying larger weapons', warns Glasgow police chief
Glasgow Chief superintendent Emma Croft described the behaviour as 'challenging' for police but said overall, youth violence figures are down. The worrying trend comes after a number of alleged knife crime incidents involving young people. Kayden Moy, 16, died after a disturbance on Irvine beach last month, and in a separate incident, Amen Teklay, 15, died in Maryhill in March after sustaining serious injuries. Speaking at yesterday's Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting on crime statistics, Chief superintendent Croft said 'there is clearly a focus on youth related violence as a consequence of the incidents in Glasgow and Ayrshire over the last several months,' but she added that 'incidents of youth violence are still down over the five year average.' READ NEXT: 'Sense of excitement building' over Glasgow's George Square work The Greater Glasgow Divisional Commander added: 'What we are seeing, however, is a change of posture – potentially intent – with youths carrying unfortunately larger weapons motivated by social media and are travelling across Scotland to gather. 'This is a challenging picture for police to map and prevent. Our national violence work is therefore focused on the sharing of information of trends and locations. "The input of partners here is critical – in particular schools, educational and youth work and diversionary settings who my teams have been working with tirelessly.' Chief Superintendent Croft said work continues with partners including the 'Common Ground Programme, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, youth workers and many others to target areas where we see incidents of youth and related violence and disorder at the weekends.' READ NEXT: Plans approved to transform Admiral Pub site in Glasgow Last month, Police Scotland urged young people not to carry knives, following the death of Kayden Moy. Explaining prevention work taking place, Partnership superintendent Ryan McMurdo said school engagement officers work in 39 schools in the Glasgow area delivering programmes including the No Knives Better Lives and the Pitchin' In Programme to reduce youth crime. Other efforts include the Common Ground Youth Project in the city centre and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, which has over 100 people involved. Figures presented to the Safe Glasgow Partnership showed overall violent crime has increased this year to date by 1.8 per cent compared to the previous year to date. A total of 12,060 violent crimes were recorded this year to date, compared to 11,844 for the previous year to date in the Glasgow city area. The meeting heard there is a reduction in serious assaults, homicides, attempted murders and robberies compared to the previous year to date. There has been an increase in common assaults.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Daily Record
Sexual assaults in Glasgow city centre double as 'alarm' raised over attacks
It comes as the number of rapes in Glasgow rose by a "shocking" 40 per cent while domestic abuse crimes against women increased by 41 per cent this year compared to last. Worrying statistics have revealed that sexual assaults in the city centre have doubled as 'alarm' has been raised over a spike in attacks on women across Glasgow. A Freedom of Information Request obtained by Glasgow Live has shown the city centre had the most reported sexually motivated attacks against women. The troubling statistics show there were 78 reported incidents last year - up from 38 in 2021. It comes as the number of rapes in Glasgow rose by 40 per cent while domestic abuse crimes against women increased by 41 per cent this year compared to last. Statistics presented at a recent Safe Glasgow Partnership showed 357 rape crimes were recorded during 2024 to 2025 so far compared to 254 during the previous year to date. Domestic abuse crimes against women stand at 192 this year compared to 136 during the previous year. Councillor Soryia Siddique previously described the trend as "alarming" as she called for an emergency summit. Now it has been revealed that a sexual crime is reported every two hours on average in Glasgow which has seen a 16 per cent increase in the number of total reported sexual crimes between 2021 and 2024 - rising from 2144 to 2489 While Glasgow city centre has seen the most sexual assaults against women, it also came as the third most likely place for a teenage girl between the ages of 13 to 15 to be attacked. The data showed G46 saw a 900 per cent increase from one incident to ten, G66 increased from seven to ten and G1 saw a 166 per cent increase from three incidents to seven. Recorded rape incidents from across the city paint an alarming picture, with incidents increasing by up to 500 per cent in some areas. JJ, who chose to remain anonymous, had ordered snacks to be delivered to her east end home at around 7pm on January 4 in 2024. The 32-year-old, who had been due to travel to England to see family, was met at her front door by delivery driver Muhammad Faizan Khan who complimented her eyes. Made to feel uneasy by the comment, JJ tried to take the food from Khan. However, as she reached forward he grabbed her before forcibly putting his tongue in her mouth, pushing her into her home before carrying out a sickening sexual assault. Muhammad Faizan Khan was found guilty in December 2024 at Glasgow Sheriff Court. He was convicted to 12 months in prison and placed on the sex offenders register in February this year. Bravely speaking about the ordeal, JJ said: "He will haunt me for the rest of my life. I feel like I can't even smile at people anymore without men thinking that I'm coming on to them. "I was quite an outgoing person, but I'm scared to smile or say thank you in case that makes another man think it's okay to attack me." SAY Women, a charity which supports sexual abuse survivors, slammed the figures 'concerning' as they called for more to be done to protect women fleeing sexual and domestic abuse. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A spokeswoman said: "SAY Women are deeply concerned by the rise in sexual assaults in Glasgow city. "This finding mirrors an increase in referrals to our service. Sexual assault leaves lasting impacts on individuals that may not be immediately obvious even to the person affected. "They may experience shame, anxiety, lack of self-worth or numbness. They may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms such as use of drugs and alcohol, withdrawal from work and relationships, or destructive behaviour that puts them further at risk. "We exist as an organisation to let those who have been impacted by sexual violence know that there are people out there ready to help in whatever way you need to feel safe and seen. Nobody should experience sexual violence and it is your right to access help if have." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Any increase in the number of sexual offences in Glasgow is concerning however, there has also been an increase in detection rates. "Our victim centred-approach, in collaboration with our multi-agency partners, has enabled improved reporting. We hope this increase in reporting is down to victims' confidence in coming forward, knowing they will be supported and listened to by specialist officers who will fully investigate every report, regardless of when it occurred. 'Local communities can be reassured, our officers continue to carry out vital work every day to prevent and detect crime. We encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to report it to police.' If you have been affected by sexual violence in Glasgow, you can reach out to: Rape Crisis Scotland helpline: 08088 01 03 02. Archway helpline (immediate support for rape or sexual assault in the last 7 days): 0800 148 88 88. or SAY Women (Emotional support and accommodation for 16-25 year old women): 0141 552 5803.
