Published: Thursday, 20th December, 2007 09:30
Bolstered police effort pays off
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THE bolstered police effort in the Prestonpans area is already proving its worth with a drugs bust, three ASBO warnings and a long list of charges issued to suspected law-breakers in the last month alone – and a warning by officers that they’re “not standing for any nonsense”.
A carer for older people in the area was also allegedly caught stealing £750 over a four-month period from a lady in her 90s.
The Prestonpans Initiative Team (PIT) is further cracking down on crime in the Preston, Seton, Gosford area thanks to two more officers on the beat, bringing their strength up to four officers.
One of the group, PC Greg MacBeth, told Prestonpans Community Council just how busy they had been during the November 7-December 3 period.
Police had arrested a man for possessing £400 worth of drugs and £1,000 cash after securing a search warrant to enter his Northbank Road home.
Three males were reported for possessing heroin; one man was reported for making 24 obscene phone calls to a former Justice of the Peace; one man was charged with racially aggravated conduct, and another charged with making a false allegation over the theft of a car.
Three ASBO vehicle warnings were issued to drivers who were repeat offenders for offences such as speeding. According to PC MacBeth, drivers can be banned under the legislation.
Three adults and one juvenile were reported for two unprovoked serious assaults; three warrants were executed for non-appearance at court, and two means enquiry warrants were executed for the non-payment of fines totalling £650.
Two conditional offers (pay fine within 28 days or face a charge) were issued to people for driving while using a mobile telephone, and one juvenile was charged with smashing a car windscreen. Seven parking tickets were also issued.
One adult is facing charges of supplying drink to children, and 16 people were charged with drinking in the street.
Alcohol confiscated from under-18s included at least 30 litres of cider, eight bottles of strong blue cider, one bottle of vodka, 25 cans of lager, 18 bottles of lager, five bottles of tonic wine, two bottles of alcopops.
“We’re not standing for any nonsense,” said PC MacBeth.
“We have been reading the riot act to parents (for under-age drinking) and 90 per cent of them took it on board, though some did not really care too much.
“We have a situation now (in the team) where we have matching shifts and we can all act together to hopefully clamp down on this behaviour. A team of four makes a big difference.”
Preston, Seton, Gosford Councillor Willie Innes said the officers’ efforts were “very encouraging”.
The community council also commended the police for their hard work.
PIT was set up to help police combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Preston, Seton, Gosford ward.
Two new officers, paid for by East Lothian Council for one year, have been drafted in to focus solely on ASB, helping the two other officers based in Prestonpans.
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