The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) is calling for an urgent rethink of the new dispersal zones planned for Glasgow city centre.
Running from St Vincent Place, Glassford Street/Stockwell Street, to the far side of the riverbank, and York Street/West Campbell Street, the measures introduced cover a significant part of the city centre and would enable Police Officers to ban anyone from re-entering this area for 24 hours.
We are particularly concerned about the unintended consequences of applying this to young people. Without access to adequate and safe alternative spaces, these measures could place young people at additional risks, raising significant safeguarding concerns.
This action also appears to be in direct opposition to the recent findings from the Scottish Government appointed Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour. The group’s report identified the need for preventative measures to reduce antisocial behaviour, including more safe spaces for young people, and greater investment in both youthwork and mental health support. For addressing immediate harms, the report outlined the need for a cross-agency response, with contextual safeguarding at the heart of this.
We also struggle to see how, when applied to under 18s, this would meet the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including Article 3 on the best interests of the child being of primary consideration.
Professor Fiona Dyer, Director of CYCJ: “We have serious concerns this could place vulnerable children and young people at risk of harm. We urgently call on Glasgow City Council to rethink this measure and instead to work with children and young people to make the city centre a safer place for everyone.”