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Glasgow City Council Faces Calls for Greater Transparency on Addressing Youth Violence

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Glasgow City Council has come under pressure to provide more details on its engagement with schools and community organizations to tackle violence affecting young people. At a meeting of the council, local authority members were questioned about the direct contact they have made with youth groups and schools over the past few months. The Kingsway Community Connections (KCC) organization expressed frustration over the council's response, calling for greater transparency on which organizations and third sector partners the council has been engaging with to address the issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Glasgow City Council has passed a motion titled 'Supporting Young People in our Communities' in June, expressing deep concern over recent incidents of violence affecting young people in the city.
  • Since the motion, the council has taken swift action across Glasgow's schools, tackling violence, discrimination, and safeguarding children as a top priority.
  • The council has delivered targeted professional learning to upskill staff, including training on the digital discourse initiative, which helps educators challenge harmful ideologies spread online.
  • The council's partnership with Police Scotland has been strengthened with a new strategic oversight group, which supports the work of school engagement officers.
  • The council has continued the delivery of programs such as Sense over Sectarianism and the Violence Prevention Program, active in 21 schools in Glasgow.
  • The council is planning a pilot MVP program for primary schools for early intervention with social inclusion officers working closely with schools to support its delivery.

Statistics:

  • Three youngsters have died in and around Glasgow in recent incidents of violence affecting young people.
  • Kory McCrimmon, 16, died after being stabbed in Greenfield Park in May 2024.
  • Amen Teklay, 15, passed away after allegedly being struck with a knife in Maryhill in March 2025.
  • Kayden Moy, 16, from East Kilbride, died after he was reportedly seriously injured on Irvine Beach in May 2025.
  • Councillor Cannon highlighted various programs and initiatives that have been rolled out in schools across the city since the motion passed.
  • The council has partnered with Police Scotland to strengthen their collaboration on tackling violence and youth-related issues.
  • 21 schools in Glasgow have been participating in the Violence Prevention Program since its inception.

Sources:

  • Glasgow City Council meeting minutes, Thursday
  • Lainy Bedingfield, Managing Director of Kingsway Community Connections (KCC)
  • Councillor Eva Murray
  • Councillor Christina Cannon, convenor for education and early years
  • Councillor Susan Aitken
  • Councillor Saqib Ahmed

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