From BBC Scotland today, the above and:

Police have arrested 43 people in the first month of a new dispersal zone to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Glasgow city centre. Officers have used their powers 438 times since the zone was introduced on 20 March – on average 14 times a day – with the majority of warnings to adults over 16.

The zone allows police to ban groups of two or more people from the area for 24 hours if their behaviour is “impacting on the safety and well-being” of others. Police Scotland said those arrested had returned to the area – which covers Glasgow Central Station and St Enoch Square – in breach of dispersal warnings. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgk044xky6zo

The at the bottom David Henderson wonders:

But is this essentially a cosmetic exercise – rolling out the red carpet for tourists, by clearing the pavement? It’ll certainly move people along, but it’s unclear if it will stop the problem – and make the city centre safe all year round.

David, of course does not question the image being presented here that Glasgow has a worrying level of anti-social behaviour.

Does it? We should be told? BBC Scotland have plenty researchers.

Oh, sit down, I’ll do it.

From Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25, published in June 2025, the above figures show that anti social behaviour crimes in Glasgow have plummeted by 66%, from 28 406 ten years ago, to 9 742 last year. https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2024-25/documents/

Despite this BBC Scotland, yesterday, had:

A dispersal zone has come into place in Glasgow city centre as part of a crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour. From Friday officers will be able to ask groups of two or more to leave the designated area if their behaviour is “impacting on the safety and well-being” of others.

Anyone directed away will be banned from returning for 24 hours. The temporary dispersal zone will cover Glasgow Central Station, St Enoch Square and Union Street, all of which have recently been identified as areas of concern. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gxlrzrye5o?at_medium=social&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_id=551701D2-244E-11F1-BCE7-B11005E8E734&at_link_type=web_link&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_format=link&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCScotlandNews&at_bbc_team=editorial

No one could accuse the SNP-led Glasgow City Council of resting on their laurels.