GLASGOW city centre has been ranked the most violent part of the city.

Anderston, City and Yorkhill ward experiences the most violent crime and nearly five times the level of violence compared to the Glasgow average, according to council findings.

The figures were released following a petition to install CCTV cameras in Garnethill, which is also included in the most violent ward.

Garnethill Neighbourhood Watch believe the area is left vulnerable due to its close proximity to the city centre and attracts criminals due to its limited coverage by CCTV cameras.

Over 600 people backed the petition to increase surveillance in the area.

Analysis and a feasibility study by Glasgow City Council found that the most concentrated levels of antisocial behaviour and violence are the busy city centre day and night economic districts including Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Queen Street.

Between April and November last year, the number of anti-social behaviour incidents recorded on Sauchiehall Street increased by a third while incidents on Argyle Street have risen by more than a quarter, compared to the year before.

Gordon Street, Union Street, Hope Street, Renfield Street and Glassford Street have also experienced a rise.

In Garnethill, none of the problem streets are covered by security cameras, including Renfrew Street and Buccleuch Street, which have seen the number of anti-social behaviour incidents increasing.

None of the mentioned Garnethill streets are currently covered by cameras.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, two assaults took place within the same week on Hill Street in October last year.

Earlier in the year, a 28-year-old man was attacked by three men at the entrance of Garnethill Park on Hill Street.

A report to go before the Wellbeing, Empowerment, Community and Citizen Engagement City Policy Committee tomorrow, states that four public space cameras would be needed to effectively cover the area - at an estimated cost of £42,000 per camera with an extra £3,000 annually.

Issues including trees and foliage blocking the cameras, narrow footpaths, gardens and the impact they would have on privacy have all been cited as issues in the plans.

The report adds: “The Garnethill area is within close proximity to Sauchiehall Street / Bath Street and experiences some residual crime and anti-social behaviour, with the area being used as an access route to the North of the city

“Similar residual crime and anti-social behaviour issues are experienced in other routes out of the city.”

The petition to install CCTV cameras in Garnethill will be considered on Thursday.