Police have kicked off their Bonfire night operation on the streets of Pollokshields, after worries that similar trouble to last year’s fireworks night would occur again in the Southside area.

Last year saw incidents of anti-social behaviour using fireworks, including groups of men in balaclavas launching rockets and explosives at houses, cars and community police officers.

To curb resident concern this year, Police Scotland deployed street teams of officers around Maxwell Park, where most of the trouble occurred last Guy Fawkes night, which seemed to have deterred offenders from repeating the events of 12 months ago.

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Sergeant Melanie Fraser, who organised the street team alongside Sargeant Cennydd Smith, said: “It has been challenging but with the increased number of bodies on the streets, we’ve been able to get on top of it.

“Residents have noticed the increase and the response we’ve been getting is very positive.”

Police Scotland announced the extra measures at a community meeting held by Pollokshields Community Council on October 18th, where Sargeant Smith told concerned residents that officers not only identified the culprits but had also undergone measures to stop repeat-offending this year.

At the meeting, Sergeant Smith he said: "We identified the ringleaders and got a group of 10 of those who were involved.

"This year we've gone back and visited them and got them involved in restorative justice programmes and FireReach.”

The street team have been working with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as well as street pastors from local mosques.

Sergeant Fraser said: “We want to thank all the groups we’ve partnered with as they’ve been a big help in assisting this year’s response team.”

READ MORE: Five youths charged after letting off fireworks in busy Glasgow street

Sergeant Fraser explained how even though extra bodies on the ground mean a better response to these crimes, officers are depending on the public to report any anti-social behaviour they witness.

She said: “We are always relying on reporting of these type of incidents from the public, and in bulk too.

“Any residents with concern should contact 101, 999 for emergencies or Crimestoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.”