East Lothian Courier | News | Action on show yobs

Thursday, 24th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 1st May, 2008 08:05

Action on show yobs

TOWN leaders have suggested new methods of deterring disruptive youths from attending the annual spring shows at the Bleachingfield.

A strategy to reduce disorder was debated at April’s community council meeting after reports emerged that the removal of one drunken youth sparked “unrest” among his friends.

A 15-year-old boy was assaulted on Friday (April 4) at around 7.45pm.

Following police inquiries two youths from East Linton aged 16 and 17 have been charged with assault and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Speaking at the meeting, community PC for Dunbar, Kevin Hughes, told members that the drunken antics of a minority of youths were discouraging families from attending.

“Families are turning up, walking in and walking back out again,” said PC Hughes. “It’s hard for police to pinpoint who is responsible for the bad behaviour.”

He added: “It’s a family thing and should be run like that. There was an element there that spoiled it for everyone.”

Gordon Saunders suggested that charging a flat entrance fee could reduce the number of rowdy youths who attended.

“The benefit of having an entrance fee is that parents would know how much they were going to spend for the evening rather than buying admission to each ride.

“It may help to reduce the number of disruptive young people attending because only those who wanted to be there would pay the entrance fee.”

Herbert Coutts said that the imminent arrival of a mobile CCTV unit could help police to monitor the shows and identify those causing disruption.

Meanwhile, the Landscape and Countryside division at East Lothian Council have decided not to bill show organisers for tyre tracks left on grass at the Bleachingfield.

A spokeswoman said: “The marks are no worse than have occurred during bad weather in previous years.”

She added that the council would continue to monitor the shows and had made no decision about whether they should be relocated.

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