ACTION is being taken in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour by youths at Musselburgh’s Brunton Hall, after the problem escalated in the past fortnight.

Police are carrying out increased patrols and community councillors are calling for more caretakers to be employed at the Ladywell Way facility.

East Lothian Council is considering “options” to deal with particular issues after hearing complaints about youngsters playing music in the building, shouting, and cycling in the main concourse.

Concern has also been raised about youths hanging about being “cheeky” to people and throwing juice bottles at each other.

Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council plans to write to the council to ask for at least a second caretaker to be appointed at the Brunton, a popular venue for shows, as well as public events and services.

Speaking at the group’s meeting last week, chairwoman Irene Tait said: “We have always advocated that there should be a minimum of two caretakers at any one time in this building, especially at night.”

The community council is being backed by Councillor Stuart Currie, a ward member for Musselburgh East and Carberry, who agreed that there were “pinch points” after the council’s customer service point closed at 5pm, until the building itself shut at 9pm or 10pm.

PC Jeff Lowe highlighted increased calls to the police about anti-social behaviour at the Brunton Hall in the last couple of weeks.

Mr Currie said that the building, which was rented by the council and The Brunton from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund, had two entrances which needed manned.

He said: “You can’t just keeping shutting doors – it doesn’t work. At one point people coming in for shows couldn’t get in the back door. Ultimately, you have to do what you need to do to protect the public.”

He stressed that a second member of staff was needed on duty when one was “doing the rounds” of the building, such as checking the toilets and other facilities.

Mr Currie said enlisting another caretaker, even if it was obvious answer”, rather than more funding having to be spent on police time.

He said: “I wouldn’t like to be on my ‘tod’ there. During the day it’s not too bad because you have customer service staff milling about.”

Councillor Fraser McAllister, ward member for Musselburgh West, said that he was at the Brunton for his surgery and youths had made confetti out of leaflets.

He said the youngsters used their mobile phones and WiFi in the building and it had been suggested that this be switched off at 6pm.

The meeting also heard the youths were “cheeky” to people and threw juice bottles at each other.

PC Lowe said the issue could be raised in schools, as local youths were with others from outwith the Musselburgh area.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman later said: “Police in East Lothian are aware of continued anti-social behaviour around the Brunton Hall.

“There are steps ongoing to tackle this issue by increasing patrols and working with local partners in the East Lothian safer communities department.

“Anyone who sees anti-social behaviour in this area is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

A council spokesperson said: “The council is aware of concerns expressed on occasion and is considering a number of options to deal with particular issues.”

The Musselburgh Area Partnership is hoping to set up a children and young person’s network sub group following on its Attendance Matters campaign, which focused on attainment and achievement in schools.

Iain Clark, partnership chairman, said the sub group would look at issues affecting children and young people in the town and what they needed. “Sometimes this is initiative-based and sometimes it is finance-based to make improvements in the town,” he added.