CONCERNS have been raised regarding anti-social behaviour involving youngsters in Haddington.

At a community and police partnership (CAPP) meeting, it was reported that there had been issues with youngsters at Aubigny Sports Centre and the Mill Wynd area of the town.

Police Constable Lynn Black told the meeting, at the Town House last Monday evening: “There are kids who are gathering there and they’re not doing anything wrong.

“They’re just trying to keep warm, but there is, I would say, one group who are causing us problems.”

The issues reported to police ranged from the smashing of bottles outside the sports centre to playing loud music at Millfield, the home of Haddington Athletic Football Club.

PC Black said: “I’ve spoken to the rep at the football club and they’re telling me this is an ongoing issue.

“They’re turning up for matches and there is evidence that someone has been there because there’s bottles lying smashed.”

And PC Black also confirmed the police had been called by residents in the area – and sports centre staff – about the issue.

She added: “It is not the same complainer, either.

“We’re getting a number of different people phoning up and complaining about this.

“We were called out to reports of kids fighting at the cricket pavilion in Neilson Park but when a crew attended, they searched the area and couldn’t find anyone.”

Kevin Wilson, chairman of Haddington West Tenants and Residents Association, felt the issue was not reserved for that particular area of the town.

Mr Wilson said: “I think the whole of Haddington is bad [for this]. I think the whole town needs to pay attention to this.”

Anti-social behaviour in the Mill Wynd area was made one of the three CAPP priorities for the month, and PC Black hoped that would put an end to the issue.

“It’s going to be one of the priorities for this month and then we can revisit it at the next meeting,” she said.

The next Haddington CAPP meeting takes place on February 22 at 6.30pm.