Fernhill, Rutherglen has been a well known, problematic area in relation to gang related violence and disorder for generations. At the time of initial MTGP involvement, the area was experiencing significant problems involving gang related disturbances between Fernhill and the adjoining area of Castlemilk.
Gangs would enter Fernhill and indiscriminately attack individuals as they walked about. These disturbances had a particularly negative effect on the fear of crime and the community as a whole, with residents stating that they feared to walk alone whilst in Fernhill.
Several attendees raised concerns of being pressured into retaliating by others but feared that if they did, MTGP would leave their area. The coaches developed relationships with the attendees and actively worked with parents and residents to discourage any form of retaliation with MTGP staying in the area for a extended period of time.
This initially resulted in a slight increase in crimes and incidents during the first period of MTGP activity (See graph) which had been anticipated, with the hope of achieving substantial crime reductions and changes to attitudes as MTGP stayed longer in the area.
On average 45 young people attended each night, consisting of 67% males and 33% females. Many parents and residents regularly attended helping to increase community wellbeing.
The extended period of MTGP activity proved highly successful. Attendees stopped all interaction with the Castlemilk gangs as they did not wish MTGP to leave. ‘Retaliation visits’ by Castlemilk gang members also stopped after a ‘visit’ resulted in the perpetrators playing football within the MTGP pitch before returning to their area stating ‘wish we had something like this in Castlemilk’. (see incident of note below)
MTGP activity resulted in unprecedented reductions in crimes and incidents for the area as well as a substantial increase in community wellbeing and safety.
In an effort to encourage this non-interaction between the 2 gang areas to continue after MTGP left the area, colleagues from Glasgow were contacted and additional partnership interventions were put in place to commence following MTGP leaving the area.
Crime Analysis
A slight increase in crimes and incidents was observed during the first period of MTGP activity. Extended activity resulted in unprecedented crime reductions in the area. During the 2nd period of MTGP activity youth related crimes and incidents reduced by 95.5% and 97.2% for the Fernhill area.
Further analysis also highlighted that the significant reductions achieved as a direct result of MTGP activity were able to be maintained during the 12 weeks after MTGP left the area (Period 3).
Attendees, parents and residents also reported significant increases to community wellbeing and safety further highlighting the long term benefits to communities that MTGP activity can have on a targeted community.
The graph below is a summary of the analysis of partnership information carried out by Police Scotland. Period 1 relates to the initial period of activity, period 2 to the extended period of activity by MTGP with period 3 covers the 12 week period after MTGP left the area.
FERNHILL: Police Scotland Crime and Incident Analysis
| Period 1 | Period 2 | Period 3 | |
| Youth Related Crime/Incidents | +13% | -95.5% | -76% |
| All Crime/ Incidents | +6% | -97.2% | –76.4% |
Incident of Note
When MTGP first arrived in Fernhill the coaches were warmly received by attendees, parents and residents who informed MTGP of how bad the area had become since MTGP was last in the area.
A gang from nearby Castlemilk had been attending on a regular basis and randomly attacking people. They seemed determined to inflict injury on anyone they came across.
On our second night in Fernhill there were 49 attendees at the pitch area when 15 gang members from Castlemilk came towards the pitch brandishing a variety of swords, knives and hammers. The coaches managed to get the Fernhill attendees into a nearby safe place, before speaking to the Castlemilk gang in an attempt to defuse the aggressive situation.
Following extended discussions, this proved so successful that the coaches managed to get the Castlemilk gang members to play football within the MTGP pitch.
As they left, they had forgotten why they had attended and were now more interested in how they could get something like MTGP in their area of Castlemilk. MTGP successfully managed to avert a serious situation and strongly believe if they had not intervened then several individuals would have been seriously injured.
MTGP activity within Fernhill proved to be so successful that attendees stopped all gang interaction with Castlemilk. This however led to the Castlemilk gang resorting to driving into the Fernhill area looking to attack random individuals, in a direct effort to encourage a return to normal gang related activities between the two areas. Parents and residents highlighted that they were too scared to walk in the area at night . MTGP liaised with the police and patrols were increased.
Unfortunately a few weeks later, a vehicle with 5 individuals from Castlemilk drove into the area where the pitch was erected, in a blatant attempt to provoke retaliation. The Fernhill attendees however refused to retaliate stating that they did not want to lose having MTGP in their area.
MTGP was later informed by the police and residents that as a direct result of MTGP being in the area they had seen a major reduction in incidents with no gang related incidents occurring when MTGP was in operation.
Attendees, parents and residents also confirmed that they felt much safer due to MTGP activities.
Testimonies
The following are a small sample of the many personal testimonies received by MTGP:-
I was walking along Fernhill Road when a car pulled up and 2 Castlemilk boys jumped out and started to fight with me. I felt that I was fighting for my life. They managed to grab me and the only way I was getting away was to slip out my jacket. I got away but they kept the jacket that my mum had just bought me. Moving the Goalposts being in the area has certainly helped. We don’t hit back, as we don’t want to lose the football as it’s so good. Connor (16)
I feel that Moving the Goalposts is very good for Fernhill. It keeps the kids out of trouble as there isn’t much for them to do. I have 3 boys and try not to let them out as there is a lot of gang fighting in the area which has been going on for years. I did allow them to go to Moving the Goalposts when it was in the area because I know they are safe and the coaches are very good.
It would be great if it could keep going in Fernhill for as long as possible. They have tried other football projects in Fernhill but it doesn’t work. Moving the Goalposts is the best project for this community as all the kids respect the coaches.
Moving the Goalposts has been brilliant for our community. They never desert our kids when there is trouble (which is quite often) and they keep our kids safe from the Castlemilk gangs that come in to the area looking to fight. The coaches stand their ground between the two groups and stop any fighting.
They are very brave and this should be recognised as I feel that they are the only people who are genuinely trying to make a difference in our community. I am a parent of 3 children who is very grateful of their efforts and I support this project fully. Elaine (parent)
Moving The Goalposts 