Glasgow’s police chief has said unmanned CCTV cameras in the city centre are “hampering” investigations after a drop in the detection rate for robberies and hate crimes.

Chief superintendent Emma Croft, divisional commander for Greater Glasgow, told councillors the force is “limited” in terms of “identification of individuals”, as cameras are only monitored for 12 hours a day.

Glasgow City Council cut CCTV staffing levels in early 2023, but footage is recorded 24/7. A spokesman for the council said all CCTV footage is “relayed in real time to the police operations centre in Govan”.

Cllr Graham Campbell, SNP, asked about a “significant drop” in the detection rate for robberies and hate crimes at a Safe Glasgow meeting late last month.

Figures showed there were 87 robberies, includin

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