Friday September 4th 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
A plea for Glasgow councillors and colleagues to embark on an evening walk to experience the safety issues faced by women and girls has been issued by a local councillor.
Councillor Elaine McDougal believes it is important to join Police Scotland officers to see the situation first hand and hear about the challenges they face on the streets of Glasgow while seeing areas in the city where women and young girls may feel particularly vulnerable.
It comes after latest figures from the Scottish Police Authority show that violence against women and girls increased by 7.6% in 2025–26, while crimes involving a domestic element increased by 12.2%.
Councillor McDougal believes there is growing concern about attacks, sexual violence, harassment, intimidation and threatening behaviour towards women and girls, particularly in our city centre and during the evening and night-time economy.
Councillor McDougal said: “I was born in Glasgow. I know this city, I have grown up with it and I have spent many years serving the people of my constituency.
“For years, areas around the Four Corners and St Enoch have faced persistent problems with anti-social behaviour, drug misuse, violence and intimidation.
“I have organised walkabouts for councillors to see these problems first-hand. You cannot understand what is happening on our streets by sitting in a committee room and reading reports.
“First, [we need] to call for a city-centre task force, led jointly by the council and Police Scotland, with youth services, social work, housing, drug and alcohol services, transport providers and local businesses around the table.
“It should have clear targets, regular operations in known hotspots and publicly reported results. We should know how many operations have taken place, how many arrests and interventions have resulted, and what action is being taken with vulnerable people and repeat offenders.
“Second, we need more visible policing at the times and places people feel most vulnerable. The dispersal powers and recent arrests are welcome, but short-term operations must become part of a sustained approach to tackling repeat problems.
“Third, we need a specific plan for young people being drawn into these areas. That means safe spaces, youth workers and diversionary activities available at evenings and weekends — not simply expecting young people to find their own alternatives.
“Fourth, we need to use the visitor levy strategically. If we are asking visitors to contribute to the city, some of that additional income should support measures that make the city centre safer, cleaner and more attractive, including public-space improvements, youth provision and community safety initiatives.”
Councillor McDougal says councillors need to see first hand to understand what women experience when they are walking home at night, waiting for public transport, leaving work, going out with friends or simply trying to get from one part of the city to another.
They also need to understand the challenges faced by the police officers who are expected to respond to incidents and keep people safe.
She continued: “For someone arriving at Glasgow Airport, their journey into a city-centre hotel may be their first impression. Someone arriving by train from Edinburgh, London, Manchester or elsewhere in the UK walks straight out of Glasgow Central into the heart of the city.
“We have to ask ourselves what impression we want to give them.
“But ultimately this is not about tourists. It is about the people who use the city centre every day.
“A woman should feel safe coming into town at night. Families should feel comfortable bringing their children. Young people should have positive places to go. Workers should be able to travel home without intimidation.
“Police Scotland cannot fix this alone, and neither can the council. That is precisely why we need a coordinated response, clear responsibility and measurable action.
“I was born here, and I know what this city is capable of. We should not accept persistent disorder as simply part of city-centre life.
“The standard has to be higher — and now is the time to deliver it.”
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