Residents in Govanhill came face to face with the council and police at a meeting to discuss tackling the problems plaguing the area.

People are worried about continuous  illegal fly-tipping blighting the lanes and back courts and say outsiders travel to the neighbourhood to use it as a dumping ground for rubbish.

The vice chair of Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council Andy Carberry said they organised a meeting last week so residents could ask questions of officials.

Councillor Soryia Siddique, Labour, believes a publicly funded taskforce is needed to solve the issues.

Mr Carberry said: “We want to get everyone involved in making the place cleaner including shop keepers. The meeting was about the general problems in the area including street cleansing, refuse collection, commercial waste and back courts.”

He added: “Illegal fly-tipping in the (privately owned)  lanes and back courts is a concern.”

Explaining how the issues have been going on for years, he said: “We are looking for a sustained solution in the area.

“We want to see a sustained presence in the area from cleansing.”

Mr Carberry believes the situation is improving, however, and officials are starting to take notice of the issues in Govanhill.

The council said Govanhill gets dedicated services to tackle the problems and called on residents, owners and factors to keep back courts clean.

Councillor Siddique who attended the meeting, said residents are frustrated over a “lack of adequate services” from the council.

Dr Siddique said: “The complaints include over flowing bins, missed bin collections, fly-tipping, lack of enforcement, infestation and double parking.”

She added: “There is an urgent need for a Govanhill task force with a resulting action plan agreed by all stake holders and adequately funded by Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council.

“Govanhill communities deserve so much better.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “We are working with the community to address the environmental challenges facing Govanhill.

“The area has received significant resources over time and continues to receive dedicated services to address environmental issues.

“It is vital that owners, residents and factors play their part by keeping back courts in good order and disposing of rubbish properly at all times.

“Those responsible for fly-tipping and other illegal dumping of waste are committing environmental crimes that leave them open to enforcement action.

“Anyone with any information on those responsible for fly-tipping and other illegal dumping of waste should contact the police or our environmental health team so enforcement action can be taken.

“Making sure food waste is properly contained in a bin will help to deter rodent infestations and give pest control measures the best chance of working.”