Neighbours of a homeless hotel in Glasgow have shared evidence of the “chaos” that engulfs life there after yet another violent attack nearby.
The Queen’s Park Hotel, on Balvicar Street, has been the scene of countless public order offences, drug crimes and overdose deaths since it became a main supplier of rooms for homeless people and asylum seekers.
After another alleged knife attack last week, residents renewed pleas for a better solution to the homelessness crisis than creating a “drug den” rife with dealers and other crimes.
Residents' evidence
The Record was sent videos and photos showing the violence and drug abuse that has left many in a state of terror. This includes a brawl in which a man appears to be stabbed before an adversary is booted in the face. Other footage shows people unconscious due to drugs.
Residents have also recorded damage to their cars and troubled tenants of the homeless hotel jumping from windows.
One neighbour said: “We bombarded police and the council with evidence of the chaos that engulfs this street.
“We proved it’s not right a place like this is allowed to exist on a quiet street, next to a lovely park. This was meant to be a lovely place to live but anti-social behaviour and constant threat of violence is impossible to live with.”
Impact on the community
Residents also claim they have watched as cops, ambulance and fire crews have blocked the roads while injured people are taken to hospital and investigations carried out.
Another resident said: “What is happening here is mad. It should not be the experience of a street where people are trying to bring up kids.”
Today, we publish images from a video in which a man in an orange hoodie is attacked by a smaller man in a grey top. Despite appearing to be knifed several times, the larger man overpowers his foe by knocking him to the ground. He then kicks him twice in the face, leaving him with serious facial injuries.
Another video shows the aftermath of an overdose death, with emergency vehicles blocking the street to residents as a potential crime scene. Another image shows a man slumped against a bin, apparently on drugs. Solvent abuse also goes on openly. One photo shows a man “buzzing” a can of lethal butane gas like it was a vape.
Previous incidents and calls for action
The mum of Frankie McVean, 30, who died of an accidental drug overdose at the hotel in May 2023, has previously called for it to be shut down. Frankie, a scaffolder using the hotel while awaiting a council home, died despite not being a drug addict. His mum Linda said he fell prey to drug dealing at the premises.
In 2022, residents were so appalled, police, council chiefs, homeowners and hotel bosses assured them at a meeting things would improve. But parents said people were later seen shooting up drugs in a nearby kids’ park.
Last Wednesday, police said two men were charged after the alleged stabbing of a man, 31, near the hotel.
Neighbours say nearly all anti-social behaviour in the street centres on the hotel, which is contracted by Glasgow City Council.
The council said: “We provide accommodation for people who present as homeless. We’ve not been made aware of service users in the hotel involved in this incident.” Queens Park Hotel has been asked to comment.
