East Lothian Courier | News | Mobile gang culture is not acceptable

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 6th March, 2008 10:00

Mobile gang culture is not acceptable

A LEADING councillor has called on the local authority to take a firmer stand against members of travelling communities who flout local bylaws.

Conservative group leader, Councillor Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, spoke out after police were called to break up a fight among travellers who attempted to set up camp in Cockenzie on Tuesday.

Mr Broun-Lindsay wants security at coastal car parks improved and parking charges to be introduced following a series of recent incidents when travellers have left a trail of damage and refuse in their wake.

He said: “Tuesday’s incident is worrying. We could have had a full-scale riot on our hands.

“I have no doubt that the vast majority of travelling people are decent, law-abiding citizens, but this sort of mobile gang culture is unacceptable. We need to make our car parks and public spaces secure.”

Tuesday’s incident developed shortly before 10am when a convoy of 12 caravans and vans arrived at Whin Park Industrial Estate and attempted to set up camp on council-owned land bordering Cockenzie Power Station’s coal handling plant.

A local resident said: “There were two big guys having a fist fight and a couple of women were also fighting. Other men carrying spades were threatening each other.”

Two police officers who arrived at the scene had to call for back-up, and it was nearly two hours before the situation was defused.

A police spokesman said: “A disagreement broke out among members of a family of the travelling community, who were camped nearby. This resulted in a fight between a number of males.

“Police attended the disturbance and it was stopped. No complaints of assault were made and no arrests were made. The travellers vacated the site by noon.”

An East Lothian Council spokesman said: “The council fully supports Tuesday’s police action in preventing public disorder and emphasises that it is council policy to evict caravans and other vehicles which are illegally parked on council-owned land.”

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