Glasgow park enforcement: Gate closures and more CCTV cameras in Kelvingrove Park part of joint council and police action to tackle Summer anti-social behaviour

The gates of Glasgow’s Kelvingrove park will be closed ‘as and when required’ in the coming months in a joint local authority and police effort to crack down on public drinking in Summer.

People congregated to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow this year (Photo: John Devlin).

Two additional CCTV cameras are also being installed within the popular park located in Glasgow’s West End and it is expected they will be operational by the early part of the summer.

Council and police officers will be stationed at Kelvingrove Park entrances on days when high visitor numbers are anticipated this summer to prevent alcohol from being brought into the park.

The news comes after police were called to disperse crowds of St Patrick's Day celebrators who gathered in the park on the sunny day in March.

Glasgow City council commented that the action hopes to address on-going concerns of anti-social behaviour.

George Gillespie, Executive Director, Glasgow City Council said: “Kelvingrove Park is a fantastic asset for Glasgow and it 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.”

This year, gates will only be closed on a temporary basis on days when it is expected that large numbers will congregate in the park.

On those days, visitors will be channelled towards six gates at the north, south, east and west of the park where checks by community enforcement officers and police will be undertaken.

Anyone seeking to enter the park with alcohol will either be asked to dispose of their alcohol before entering the park or be refused entry.

Chief Inspector Natalie Carr said: "We understand people will want to take advantage of the good weather and enjoy Kelvingrove Park, but we want to ensure it’s a safe space for everyone.

"We know that the antisocial behaviour in the park is often fuelled by alcohol and because of this we will be working in support of Glasgow City council to enforce the council park rules which prohibit the possession and drinking of alcohol in the park.

“If you do decide to come to the park with alcohol, it will be confiscated and you may be fined for consuming it. We want everyone to enjoy the good weather in the park as it is often in short supply here in Scotland, but people’s safety must always come first.”

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