East Lothian Courier | News | Taking yobs off the streets

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 08:40

Taking yobs off the streets

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A NEW police team set up to target unruly yobs has been so successful in its first nine months that a further £35,000 is being provided to fund its work for at least another year.

Full-time PCs Fiona Gilchrist and Steven Kellock make up the Prestonpans Initiative Team (PIT), dedicated to clamping down on anti-social behaviour in the Preston, Seton and Gosford areas.

Their track record has been impressive.

Between them they’ve brought charges against 40 local youths relating to a large disturbance at The Heugh in April, as well as bringing peace to the lives of many long -suffering residents.

Money to continue their work was set to run out in November. But now the East Lothian Community Safety Forum has stepped in with the cash to safeguard their future until November next year.

Forum chairman, Councillor Stuart Currie, said: “We worked to establish this new policing team in East Lothian last year and I am delighted that we are able to ensure that their work continues for another year.

“There can be no doubt that this initiative, alongside the whole raft of community safety policies now being put in place will make a difference, not only to Prestonpans and the surrounding area, but throughout our county.”

Superintendent Murdo MacIver, East Lothian Area Commander for Lothian and Borders Police, said: “The positive impact that the PIT has had in the local community speaks for itself.

“The statistical results so far make impressive reading and, in themselves, support further investment.

“However, beyond this, the perception from local residents is that the PIT has made a real difference to the level of antisocial behaviour in the area and, as a consequence, improved the quality of life for them.

“This achievement cannot be overstated,” he added.

Concerns were raised at a recent meeting of Prestonpans Community Council about the likely effect on the local community were the PIT team to be disbanded.

Community council chairman, James Yule, was delighted at news that the team’s future had been secured until November 2009.

“I have noticed a great difference in the Prestonpans area since this initiative started,” he said. “It would be a shame if they did not continue to receive funding. They do a great job and we hope to continue to work closely with the team and further their development in the town.”

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