Published: Thursday, 10th April, 2008 09:00
Protest at yobs
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A campaign to name and shame unruly teenagers in Cockenzie and Port Seton could backfire – and turn them into “little heroes”.
That’s the fear of community councillors, who last week listened to
a desperate appeal by a middle-aged father, following alleged attacks on himself and his daughter by a particular group of youths who live in the area.
He told the meeting: “I have come here because I am at the end of my tether. Is there no way that we can ‘name and shame’ them?”
The man admitted that he had been so angry during a recent altercation with the youths that he almost took the law into his own hands.
Preston, Seton, Gosford councillor Margaret Libberton replied: “This is what could happen if we don’t deal with this matter properly.”
Ms Libberton suggested opening a ‘dry bar’ where young people could socialise, keeping them off the streets.
Community councillor Bryan Green said that he believed it would be a mistake to name and shame those involved in anti-social behaviour as it would turn them into “ little heroes”.
He added: “I know some market traders who, when they’d heard that special uniforms were going to be produced for those with ASBOS, said that they would buy them in bulk as they would sell like hotcakes because they would be seen as fashion items.”
Fellow community councillor Isobel Black suggested that the man who wanted disruptive youths called to account should contact community PC Grant Gray and the anti-social behaviour team at East Lothian Council.
A police report on youth disorder in the area last month was also given at the meeting.
It confirmed that, although the number of calls relating to teenage anti-social behaviour was down, there were six such calls in the vicinity of the Co-op in Links Road, relating mostly to under-age drinkers trying to harass customers into buying alcohol for them.
In one particular incident in the area on Saturday, March 22, a man and woman were allegedly assaulted by a group of youths.
Five men were arrested and have been charged with nine seperate offences.
A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
As a result of the incident and other ongoing problems outside the store, representatives from Lothian, Borders and Angus Co-operative Society attended the recent Community and Police Partnership meeting in Port Seton Community Centre.
They agreed to work with the police, East Lothian Council and the local community in tackling the problems.
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