East Lothian Courier | News | Police on trail of A1 yobs

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 24th April, 2008 08:05

Police on trail of A1 yobs

POLICE are hunting for a group of youths who bolted towards the Coalgate area of Tranent last Thursday evening, after being caught hurling rocks at motorists on the nearby A1 road.

Community leaders in Tranent have now warned local youths not to engage in the “dangerous and irresponsible” practice.

The group of five or six youths were seen running towards Tranent at around 8.50pm, after throwing rocks from the Bankton flyover, and smashing the windscreen of a passing Vauxhall Vectra.

The driver, a 45-year-old man and his 49-year-old male passenger – both from Edinburgh – were left shaken, but uninjured.

A police spokesman said: “Needless to say this incident could have had more serious consequences.

“The rock which struck this vehicle narrowly missed the passenger.

“Police are seeking help from other motorists and local residents in identifying the youths responsible.

“It is extremely dangerous and the chances of causing a serious accident are very real.”

It was the second time in four months that youths had endangered motorists travelling near to the Bankton junction of the A1.

Last December, Tranent man Andrew Gillies was driving home when he was ambushed by a group of youths carrying an airgun, who fired at his windscreen as he slowed to avoid them in the middle of the Bankton flyover.

Although the father-of-two escaped unscathed, he was left “shaken” by the incident and his vehicle was damaged.

Tranent Community Council chairman Raymond Strang said: “There’s been a history of these types of incidents occurring at that location.

“Such behaviour is appalling and these kids must realise that these actions could very easily lead to serious road traffic accidents and even death.

“As it is believed that the culprits are of school age, we would encourage our schools to raise awareness to their pupils that these types of actions are extremely dangerous, extremely foolish and have very serious charges attached to them.”

Fa’side councillor Donald Grant branded the youths’ actions as the “height of irresponsibility”.

“I’m really aghast that this has happened.

“If the perpetrators read this article they should take heed and desist in this dangerous practice,” he said.

Alan Bell – who is involved in a number of activities with local youngsters in his role as project manager at Tranent’s Recharge youth centre – said it was important not to let incidents such as this exacerbate negative public feeling about young people.

“I think it is important to highlight that there are around 800 young people in the Tranent area and it is only a small minority who continually draw negative attention to themselves,” he said.

“There’s a lot more who are contributing positively to their community.”

Anyone with information relating to last Thursday’s crime can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 3113131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Comments