Complaint and answer - ABC Australia about Glaswegians .....

[hudggy]

I sent this Email to Abc in Australia

I would like to complain about Glasgow struggles with crime as
reported on the 05/05/2006.

Your reporter has got it all wrong Glasgow is not as he or she reported, there are gangs but not to the extent that is stated. I have lived in Glasgow all my life the way your reporter put it I should know at least a dozen people who have been murdered.I am 62 years of age and can honestly say I have heard of murders but I do not personal know anyone who was murdered or anyone who committed one. I think you should send another reporter to the City and speak to the correct people seems your guy was making it up as he went along.

Regards Robert Carrigan a Proud Glaswegian


This is their reply I received this morning

Dear Mr Carrigan

Thank you for your email of 9 May 2006.

I can assure you the ABC's reporter was not making it up. This report
quoted widely available statistics, which unfortunately confirm the
violence which occurs in Glasgow. Nevertheless, the report did make the
point about the violence being limited:

RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Despite the statistics, Glasgow is a safe place for
most people. The senseless violence is concentrated in areas most affected
by the loss of heavy industry in the '50s and '60s, an economic blow
whose effects are still being felt.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan.

JOHN CARNOCHAN: I mean some of the gangs that are running about now in
2006 have got the same names and the same territorial areas as the
gangs that were running about between the wars.

The ABC is happy to hear that you have not been personally affected.

[Guest]

I see that the standard defence of 'Statistics' has been put forward as a justification for poor reporting.

Statistically speaking, a larger percentage of the Australian population has descended from people convicted of a (at the time) serious criminal offence. Much higher than, say Glaswegians! Statistically speaking, this must lead to the conclusion that Australians are much more likely to be criminals than Glaswegians.

Of course, in a real world, the previous statement is a load of statistical drivel.

But then, so is the depiction of Glasgow as the 'Crime Capital' of the world.

Dave

ps I did tend to a feeling of disbelief when it became the 'European City of Culture' a few years ago...

[ASGROOMBRIDGE]

I paid a visit to Glasgow last summer for the first time since my childhood back in the 50's when my great Aunt lived in Parkhead. I could not go to the shops as it was the day od the Rangers Celtic game. Great fun watching out the window of the tennament for a wee sasanach.

Anyway I degress, we found lovely people who helped when we got lost and when one elderly gentleman heard me asking directions from a young guy on how to get to Tollcross cemetery he not only helped us find it but told us some stories of the area.

We left our car open by mistake and it was not touched (lucky maybe) but even at night we felt safe.

Where do they get their statistics from, yes I have heard stories of the Razor gangs I think they were called back in the 50's and yes it probably was bad in small area's but does'nt every city have bad area's even Australian one's.

My husband and I thank the people of Glasgow for making us feel very welcome and safe.

regards,
Audrey

[emanday]

ps I did tend to a feeling of disbelief when it became the 'European City of Culture' a few years ago...

Sorry davesloan, [-X but Glasgow seriously deserved election to that title. Not only have Glaswegians provided the rest of the world with inventions most of us could NOT do without these days AND gave birth to some of the worlds best known designers and architects, it was, and still is one of the places many "South of the Border" organisations canvas for potential employees.

"Wha's Like Us, Gie Few, an thair aw Deid"

(BTW: you couldn't be a relative by any chance?)

[wini]

"There are three kinds of lies-Lies, damned Lies and STATISTICS"
Benjamin Disraeli

wini