East Lothian Courier | News | Action on noisy louts

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 8th November, 2007 09:30

Action on noisy louts

POLICE are targeting three areas known as hot beds for youth disorder after an outcry from neighbouring residents.

There has been a barrage of complaints about rowdy behaviour and underage drinking by local youths in Goose Green, Lewisvale Park and Windsor Park.

And officers are to focus particular attention on these areas in the hope of curbing the noise and nuisance to nearby families.

However, Kenneth Black, chief antisocial behaviour co-ordinator for East Lothian Council, warned that such crackdowns should not be regarded as a cure-all.

He told community councillors at their recent meeting: “There’s no easy answer to deal with antisocial behaviour.

“You have to tailor the solution to the individual person.

“You are never going to eradicate it because it has been with us for centuries – it is not a new phenomenon.”

Mr Black said that there were two distinct types of antisocial behaviour: direct and intentional disorder – such as the targeting of specific properties in order to cause distress; and neighbourhood issues – where a lack of facilities could lead to nuisance-making among local youths in the community.

The former, he said, could be tackled through the legal system. But the latter was much more difficult, as police struggled to identify key perpetrators and ring leaders.

Already more than 300 homes in the Pinkie area have received letters from police informing them of a telephone number to call to report anti-social behaviour.

Meanwhile, the council has given residents of Rothesay Place the option of reducing the number of access points leading into Lewisvale Park by closing an open lane and entrance via Grove Street, in an attempt to curb late night disturbances.

Residents have the option to gate the entrances and keep them permanently closed, stagger the opening hours or keep the gates open.

There will be increased patrols by community support officers and police in the area.

And trees and hedges are to be cut back to improve visibility.

Community councillors promised to back the residents whatever their decision.

Principle amenity officer, Stuart Pryde, stressed that action deemed necessary to suit current problems could always be reversed if the situation changed.

“As a council we are concerned about reducing access to a public park because it is an amenity to the people of the area,” said Mr Pryde.

“The whole point of upgrading Lewisvale park was to transform it from a glorified corridor into a public park.”

But he conceded: “We do not live next to the park and so do not have to experience what residents go through.”

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