EXCLUSIVE: Residents Call for CCTV After Brawl at Hillhead Steps
Fears Over Safety and Antisocial Behaviour After Seven Arrested in Mass Disturbance
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Fanning
Residents in the Hillhead area are calling for the installation of CCTV cameras following a violent incident near Great Western Road.
Seven people were arrested and charged after a mass disturbance on the Hillhead Steps in Hillhead Street, at its junction with Great Western Road, prompting renewed concerns about safety and anti-social behaviour in the area.
It is understood those involved in the brawl were homeless and living in the nearby Chez Nous Guest House in Hillhead Street.
The matter was raised at last Thursday’s Hillhead Community Council meeting, where several residents expressed alarm over what they described as a “worsening pattern” of disorder linked to the premises.
Locals have been voicing concerns about the hotel for several months, saying the area has seen increased noise, littering, and disturbances since it began housing people experiencing homelessness.
Speaking at the community council meeting, one resident said: “We understand the need to support vulnerable people, but residents also deserve to feel safe in their homes. We’ve asked for CCTV before, and now it’s urgent.”
Community councillors echoed the calls, urging Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland to step up monitoring and provide reassurance to residents.
One said: “Police have been called out to Hillhead Steps and arrested seven people. They are getting the message that this type of behaviour will not be condoned.”
The Chez Nous Guest House has been operating as part of the city’s emergency accommodation network during the ongoing housing crisis.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The individuals involved were relocated to alternative accommodation, and the Social Care Workers were informed of the concerns to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures were implemented.
“This action was taken in collaboration with Police Scotland, who were also engaged in the matter.”
Another resident said more must be done for homeless people to divert them from abusing “drugs and alcohol.”
SNP Hillhead Councillor Ken Andrew said he has spoken to the locality Inspector Ian Sibbald regarding this issue.
He added: “Individuals known to cause trouble were removed from the Chez Nous.
“They are being split up and relocated into other homeless accommodation to prevent them from reuniting in disruptive groups.
“These issues aren’t unique to Hillhead—they're affecting hostels citywide.”
Councillor Andrew vowed to take the issue up with the social work department.
He added: “We must offer more constructive activities to people staying in these hostels. But we also need to remember—they’re not prisoners. They're free to make their own choices.”
He described the antisocial behaviour at Hillhead Steps as “outrageous” and said he would raise the matter with the social work department.
Hillhead Green Councillor Martha Wardrop raised concerns about placement decisions: “We don’t want people with violent backgrounds being placed in the Chez Nous. Social work needs to be more careful in their assessments.”
She said she had asked for collaboration with Glasgow Life to provide health and wellbeing programs: “Some people want to get off drink and drugs, but they need support, routine, and a place to go.”
Cllr Wardrop said residents had been calling for CCTV, particularly near Ruskin Lane, where there have been recent bin fires and vandalism.
She proposed installing a mobile redeployable camera that could cover Hillhead Steps, Ruskin Lane, and Ruskin Place.
She added: “We’ve costed similar cameras in Woodside’s St George’s Road at around £5,500. We hope to raise this through the Hillhead Area Partnership. Perhaps the community council could write a letter of support.
“It has become really frightening to live in Hillhead Street because every day there is something happening with people drinking and bottles and rubbish lying around and hanging about on doorsteps and being intimating.”
A community councillor said the local residents’ association backed the proposal, citing other incidents, including vandalism at Viewpoint Garden and damage to a parked car on Hamilton Park Avenue.
“Residents are feeling really vulnerable. It creates an atmosphere of anxiety and distrust—even when it’s not a violent event,” they said.
Councillors reminded residents that budgets were tight, with most of the Hillhead Area Partnership's funding already allocated.
A CCTV camera is already planned in Woodside following the tragic death of 15-year-old Amen Tekley, pictured above, who died in a stabbing in March. Two boys, aged 14 and 15, have been arrested in connection with his murder.
Any cameras installed in Hillhead would be temporary and movable, councillors said.
The Hillhead Area Budget for 2025/26 was £61,839.
A total of £35,384 has been committed to date to various projects serving the area, leaving a balance of £26,455 yet to be allocated.
Councillor Andrew, who chairs the Hillhead Area Partnership, said late funding bids might still be considered and a special meeting could be held to discuss CCTV costs. More information on the Hillhead Area Partnership Budget, which is set to meet on Thursday, here
The Splash contacted Police Scotland for comment, but a spokesperson said they could not provide further information without a specific date and time of the Hillhead Steps incident.