They call the blaes pitches "the killing fields". Young people say they can't cross them and other areas for fear of rival gang attacks.
They call the blaes pitches "the killing fields". Young people say they can't cross them and other areas for fear of rival gang attacks.
Residents talk of being too afraid to go out at night or open their windows more than an inch. Gang fights occur "most nights" and shopkeepers have to close early to avoid trouble.
These are just some of the findings of the evaluation of community attitudes in Shettleston, Baillieston and Greater Easterhouse.
It's one of the most deprived areas in Britain and is renowned for high crime levels but the researchers were still surprised to find how deeply embedded its gang culture is.
The recent Glasgow East by-election raised the profile of an area still struggling with its reputation for low life expectancy and high unemployment.
The stark picture painted by the study indicates why it was the ideal testing ground for a new police scheme incorporating high visibility patrols and greater intervention and diversionary activities for young people.
In 2002, a United Nations rating system taking account of life expectancy, unemployment, incomes and rates of illiteracy, put the Shettleston area as the most deprived in Britain. Baillieston was placed seventh.
The research conducted by Glasgow Caledonian University found gang culture is so deeply embedded here that "locals refer to the area they live in by its gang name" and children are "born into it".
The study also discovered it is an inter-generational problem and one not always discouraged by parents.
The report states: "Gang culture is deeply entrenched in these communities, and is viewed very negatively by many, including young people: they speak about being born into it, living in a gang area' which means in effect that they automatically belong to a gang.
"Therefore, gang membership is more than just the culture of fighting. It can be tied to friendship, companionship and neighbourhood and not necessarily violence."
Local people told researchers it is not unusual for a mother and father to agree with what their sons and daughters are doing in being out gang-fighting. It is also not unusual to find mothers out supporting them while they are gang-fighting.
Local businesses said they had been forced to reduce their opening hours and close early to avoid the problems associated with "youth and gang fights" and improve the "safety of their staff".
The report says that the territorial gang issues are so deeply entrenched that regeneration alone will not solve the problem.
But since the Enhanced Policing Programme began in October 2007, residents and businesses have noted a significant difference.
One store owner said: "Whereas before they customers would think six or eight times, do I really need to go to the shop tonight, now they just come without thinking so I think things have got a lot better."
The £800,000 scheme which ran for six months, included high-visibility patrols with 30 extra officers for evening and weekend shifts, educational sessions and an emphasis on providing diversionary activities for young people.
The subdivision saw its lowest violent crime figures for five years and a 8% dip in antisocial behaviour.
Dr Liz Frondigoun, lecturer in criminology at Glasgow Caledonian and author of the report, said on a personal level she was shocked to see the impact of gang fighting but that the police scheme helped significantly.
"The high-visibility policing has made a huge difference and people are feeling more confident about taking ownership of their community," she said. "They are more able to walk about in their local community and some said they could already see the changes under the scheme."
