RESIDENTS in a city centre residential area are calling for support from the council amid claims temporary housing arrangements are leading to a spike in anti-social behaviour.

Hotels in Garnethill are being used by Glasgow City Council as emergency housing during the coronavirus crisis.

But locals living around the Renfrew Street area say there are people outside in the street at night and in the early morning and claim they feel unsafe.

Bill Beckett, chairman of Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch (GNW), said: "I have lived here for 18 years and have never in that time seen so many problems.

"We are being told to stay home to protect the NHS and to be aware of correct social distancing in order to protect our health, but there are people socialising in the street in the evenings and as late as 1am.

"The Neighbourhood Watch has had multiple reports of issues from local people living here and they are genuinely concerned about their health and their safety."

Following an online meeting of residents on Monday evening, GNW has written to local councillors to ask for support.

The group said it has also contacted Police Scotland to ask for patrols in the area to be increased.

In its letter to councillors the group says residents were not consulted about new housing arrangements in the area.

They say they have not been told how long the arrangements will last.

And they claim there is an issue with groups gathering in the streets, rubbish being dumped in front gardens and public urination.

The letter adds: "These residents of Garnethill are frightened, scared, and feel abandoned.

"GNW are happy to work with the Council to help address these matters."

Bill said he is now arranging for panic alarms to be purchased and given to locals who need them.

He added: "There is real fear in the area and we have had far more residents than ever before coming to us to report problems.

"We're looking for the council to provide us with a point of contact so we can work together to sort this out and make the area safe for everyone."A spokeswoman for Glasgow’s Health & Social Care Partnership said: “Our homelessness services have accessed accommodation across the city to help safeguard those who require emergency accommodation during this public health emergency.

"It would be entirely inappropriate to confirm specific locations of the people we provide accommodation for.

“However, everyone has been made aware of the ongoing need for social distancing and to adhere to the lockdown rules.

"Any concerns about alleged antisocial behaviour or breaches of the lockdown or social distancing rules should be reported to Police Scotland.”

Separately, on Friday, April 10 the body of a 45-year-old woman was found in a guest house on Renfrew Street.

Police Scotland said the death was being treated as unexplained.

On April 7 a man was found lying on the ground on Renfrew Street having been the victim of a serious assault.

Police appealed for witnesses to the incident, around 9.40pm.