Among the local housing associations drawn into community tensions is Shettleston Housing Association, which closed its physical office and shifted staff to working from home following online calls for a demonstration targeting its premises by groups like the ‘Scottish Citizens Army’.

New Gorbals Housing Association also temporarily shut down operations at its Crown Street office to protect staff and customers amid fears that outside agitators might exploit a local rally.

Police are still investigating a fire at a block of flats being refurbished by ng homes, which itself is the subject of false rumours being circulated online that it will house asylum seekers.

Castlemilk has also been the subject of false social media posts claiming a sex offender lived in a property, which led to a crowd gathering outside the home in July.

Housing convener Ruairi Kelly said he is organising a summit with housing associations, Police Scotland and others to figure out what can be done to “counter this misinformation, support communities, protect staff and residents and ensure that legitimate concerns can be discussed without intimidation, threats or disorder”.

Speaking at a full council meeting, he said: “The incidents in Castlemilk earlier this year and more recently in Possilpark show the real harm that can result when misinformation and unfounded rumours are allowed to spread unchecked. In both cases false claims about housing fuelled fear, community tensions and intimidation and in Possilpark may have even contributed to the actions that reduced the supply of much-needed homes.

“If the Possilpark fire proves to have been deliberate then those responsible will already have worsened a difficult situation for people and families waiting for permanent homes.”

He added: “I have been in discussion with housing associations across the city about how we collectively respond to these challenges. In some instances the atmosphere created by misinformation and intimidation has been so severe that housing associations have had to take additional security measures and at times temporarily close their offices.”