Violence

 

Although summer’s in its full, the weather leaves a lot to be desired. It’s difficult to believe but there has been just a handful of days (2, maybe 3) this month when I didn’t have to wear a jacket. And of course, a day without rain is a lost day. The BBC has promised us a few sunny and warm days this week and let’s hope they keep their word. Anyway, this won’t be about the lovely Glaswegian climate. What I wanted to share with you this time is some description of the violence in the streets of the murder capital of Europe.

One day, my colleagues and I talked about it during breaks at work and I heard some terrifying stories of events they had witnessed or been involved in. No later than when I was coming back home did I witness one of them myself. I had just got on the bridge going across the river when I heard a cry for help coming from the bank below followed by a sound of a bottle being smashed. I crossed the street and saw a three or four-strong group of teenagers kicking and punching another guy who was trying to break free. He fell on the ground, got another bottle smashed on his head, whereupon they started kicking him again. Despite the fact that this was all happening almost in the city centre, next to a busy crossroad, no one ran to help him. Some just watched the incident from their cars or from a safe distance on the pavement. Without thinking too much I dialled 112 and got quickly connected with the Police (I wanted to help that poor guy somehow but I knew I had no chance against a group of neds). The operator on the other side of the line asked me a few questions but unfortunately I was not able to remember many details. Eventually, the guy managed to run away without anyone else’s help.

When I visited the scene a few days later, I noticed that all this had taken place right in front of a CCTV camera, so hopefully the Police have found those bastards and punished them accordingly.

There was another fight outside a pub under my friends’ flat window a few days ago. This one wasn’t so appalling as only some drunkards were involved in it.

And here’s a piece of the recording of the fight:

 

 

Last Sunday, on my way back home from work, I found myself in the middle of a fight between a Scottish man and a woman and load of dark-skinned guys. This happened in the very city centre and again, I don’t think that they were fighting fair (maybe I’m wrong but kicking a lying guy on his head doesn’t seem right).

Such things (and much worse) happen here every day, when you listen to the news you just want to curl up and die.

 

And finally, an article about Glasgow from The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/apr/11/ukcrime.lornamartin