SHOPS, pubs and bars selling booze around Kelvingrove Park will be visited by licensing chiefs following scenes of carnage at Kelvingrove Park on one of the hottest days of the summer.

Thousands of people descended on the park on Thursday evening with many suspected to be drinking underage.

Police Scotland's air unit and ground fleet were drafted in to evacuate growing crowds.

Eyewitnesses told The Glasgow Times hundreds of officers attended the scene as a helicopter hovered above, as Police Scotland have confirmed "officers responded to large numbers of people congregating and drinking alcohol in the park, in contravention of local byelaws.

"These officers responded to abusive, hostile and threatening behaviour, and as a result, a number of individuals have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for assault and disorder-related offences."

A council spokesman said although the park was a "fantastic public space for everyone to use and enjoy" there hae been reports of "anti-social behaviour" which is "fuelled by alcohol".

They said: "Our licensing standards officers will also be visiting licensed premises in the area to remind licence holders of their responsibilities.

“The huge amount of rubbish currently being removed from the park on a daily basis is also directly linked to the level of alcohol being consumed there.

"There has been anti-social behaviour taking place within Kelvingrove, which is frequently fuelled by alcohol and sadly often deters others from using the park at times.

Read more: Kelvingrove Park: Nicola Sturgeon warns stay away from big gatherings

“All park users are entitled to feel safe and respected at all times."

The spokesman added the council is working with partners on a future course of action.

They said: “We are working with partners to ensure that over the course of the summer there is an appropriate, practical and robust response to the issues currently being experienced in the park.

“The public drinking bye-law is a measure that can help to protect communities from the kind of anti-social behaviour that has been witnessed in Kelvingrove recently.

“Anyone found drinking in the park, or any other public space, is therefore liable to receive a fine or have their drink confiscated by police."

The First Minister said at Friday’s briefing not to gather in crowds in parks after thousands turned up in Kelvingrove Park last night.

The First Minister said that large gatherings were giving the virus an “opportunity” to spread.

An eyewitness to the event told The Glasgow Times the police action was "good natured and orderly - people complied and dispersed.

"I was grateful that the police intervened and things didn't get out of hand.

"Too often large gatherings in the park equals drinking, fighting, stabbing, damage to benches and trees, excessive litter everywhere and eventually even accidentally setting fire to the bins. As it happened last week."

We asked our readers on Facebook what they thought of the scenes in Kelvingrove Park.

Read more: Carnage in the Park: Air unit and ground fleet drafted in to evacuate large gatherings at Kelvingrove Park

Anne Dickson described the youths as "selfish gits".

Donna Paton also described them as "fools", adding "I completely disagree with this yesterday but on the other hand last weeks protests were allowed to happen so you can't blame the younger ones now... I am staying safe with my family."

Shirley Bradley wrote "As wrong as it is, it was inevitable something like this would happen. The police stood and did nothing as they watched protesters gather in groups, talk about mixed messages."

Some others felt it was inevitable. Robert Elder said "People should be allowed to enjoy the good weather. This social distancing went out the window weeks ago. Time they accepted nobody's listening to them anymore."

Yvonne Steve Stewart believes parents are to blame. She said: "It was always going to happen it always does, especially when the kids brake off for school holidays.

"Happened last year and the year before police should have been ready for it.

"It’s been happening all over Glasgow. Just Kelvingrove was the biggest one.

"Where are there parents? They are just as much to blame as the kids. They let them out."

Chief Inspector Morag Lister, Area Commander for Glasgow North West, said Police Scotland were working with Glasgow City Council and will "use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation".

She said: “We have a comprehensive policing plan in place for Kelvingrove Park, with access to additional resources that can be deployed quickly to respond to incidents and disorder.

“We are working with partners, including Glasgow City Council, to find a sustainable way forward to ensure that Kelvingrove Park remains a great facility for families and all law-abiding citizens, as we all aid in the collective effort to stay save and save lives by preventing COVID-19 from spreading.

"Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.”