4/4/2008Police raids smash city gangs
SIX suspected gang leaders were arrested in a series of dawn raids in Glasgow’s East End.
Suspects thought to have been involved in a mass brawl last week were given a rude awakening at 6am - by police with battering rams.
The operation to arrest eight individuals came amid a new crackdown by Strathclyde Police on gang ringleaders.
At one property alone, six weapons were seized - including an axe, scythe and sword.
The Evening Times accompanied police during the early morning raid on homes of eight suspects in the East End and north of the city.
Those targeted were aged between 16 and 35. Four of them were teenagers.
Around 60 officers, including riot and armed police, were involved in the operation.
Its focus was the Calton area and was sparked by a gang fight on Millroad Street last week.
Officers from Strathclyde Police's newly formed Gangs Task Force analysed CCTV footage of the brawl on Saturday in which two people were stabbed, and one seriously injured.
They identified suspects from the pictures - and bashed in their doors at 6am.
Armed officers were sent to the address of a man suspected of firing a crossbow during the incident.
The fight, involving more than a dozen people, is thought to have involved members of the Calton Young Team gang.
The operation was still ongoing today as more suspects were being rounded up.
Superintendent Bob Hamilton, the head of the Gangs Taskforce, said: "The operation is going very well. We’ve got six of the eight targets so far.
"Searches are continuing at several premises and we have seized a number of weapons."
Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson, who watched the operation unfold from London Road police station, said: "This sends out a clear message that gang fighting will not be tolerated.
"The Chief Constable has said we have a long-term commitment to tackling this problem. This is not a one-off.
"People might think gang fighting is acceptable but it is not. Put simply, if young me get involved, they will end up in jail."
One of the addresses hit by police this morning was in Chalmers Street, Calton.
The door wash first bashed in by officers using a ram and hydraulic door spreader.
Occupants of the house could be heard swearing and shouting: "It's the 'polis'."
The mum and dad of the 17-year-old suspect, who was later led from the property, were seen pacing around - clearly embarrassed - as their home was searched by specialist officers.
The newly formed Gangs Task Force was set up by Strathclyde Police's new Chief Constable Steve House and is made up of specialist officers from throughout the force.
The unit, based at Saracen police station, has been told to specifically target leaders and members of gangs, by any means necessary, in a bid to win back the streets for affected communities.
Supt Hamilton said: "Our message is clear, we know who the gang members are and basically, we will come and find you.
"We are a unit made up of officers with extensive experience in disorder legislation.
"There will be a relentless focus on the most persistent and troublesome gang members and ringleaders."
Detective Chief Superintendent Campbell Corrigan. who heads the force's anti-violence campaign, said: "This is a long term campaign, it's not something that we intend to leave within days or months - we'll be here until this problem is sorted.
"I would say to those who are involved in gang activity that the time is now to make changes to your life as our officers will not tolerate this behaviour.
"Communities deserve respite and by working with the community, our partners and young people, I believe we can deliver this."
Suspects thought to have been involved in a mass brawl last week were given a rude awakening at 6am - by police with battering rams.
The operation to arrest eight individuals came amid a new crackdown by Strathclyde Police on gang ringleaders.
At one property alone, six weapons were seized - including an axe, scythe and sword.
The Evening Times accompanied police during the early morning raid on homes of eight suspects in the East End and north of the city.
Those targeted were aged between 16 and 35. Four of them were teenagers.
Around 60 officers, including riot and armed police, were involved in the operation.
Its focus was the Calton area and was sparked by a gang fight on Millroad Street last week.
Officers from Strathclyde Police's newly formed Gangs Task Force analysed CCTV footage of the brawl on Saturday in which two people were stabbed, and one seriously injured.
They identified suspects from the pictures - and bashed in their doors at 6am.
Armed officers were sent to the address of a man suspected of firing a crossbow during the incident.
The fight, involving more than a dozen people, is thought to have involved members of the Calton Young Team gang.
The operation was still ongoing today as more suspects were being rounded up.
Superintendent Bob Hamilton, the head of the Gangs Taskforce, said: "The operation is going very well. We’ve got six of the eight targets so far.
"Searches are continuing at several premises and we have seized a number of weapons."
Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson, who watched the operation unfold from London Road police station, said: "This sends out a clear message that gang fighting will not be tolerated.
"The Chief Constable has said we have a long-term commitment to tackling this problem. This is not a one-off.
"People might think gang fighting is acceptable but it is not. Put simply, if young me get involved, they will end up in jail."
One of the addresses hit by police this morning was in Chalmers Street, Calton.
The door wash first bashed in by officers using a ram and hydraulic door spreader.
Occupants of the house could be heard swearing and shouting: "It's the 'polis'."
The mum and dad of the 17-year-old suspect, who was later led from the property, were seen pacing around - clearly embarrassed - as their home was searched by specialist officers.
The newly formed Gangs Task Force was set up by Strathclyde Police's new Chief Constable Steve House and is made up of specialist officers from throughout the force.
The unit, based at Saracen police station, has been told to specifically target leaders and members of gangs, by any means necessary, in a bid to win back the streets for affected communities.
Supt Hamilton said: "Our message is clear, we know who the gang members are and basically, we will come and find you.
"We are a unit made up of officers with extensive experience in disorder legislation.
"There will be a relentless focus on the most persistent and troublesome gang members and ringleaders."
Detective Chief Superintendent Campbell Corrigan. who heads the force's anti-violence campaign, said: "This is a long term campaign, it's not something that we intend to leave within days or months - we'll be here until this problem is sorted.
"I would say to those who are involved in gang activity that the time is now to make changes to your life as our officers will not tolerate this behaviour.
"Communities deserve respite and by working with the community, our partners and young people, I believe we can deliver this."
Its a shame what these young thugs are doing to there neighborhood,My Mother is from Millroad st and i grew up in the Calton ,i have great and happy memories of growing up in that part of Glasgow,you couldnt pay me to live there these days,,