DAILY patrols of Haddington town centre will be carried out whenever possible in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour.

Complaints have been made about people shouting and swearing in the town centre, with police and East Lothian Council urged to do what they can to solve the issue.

Representatives from five Haddington businesses attended a meeting with police in Haddington Town House on Monday evening.

Each expressed concern about issues in the town centre, with a Problem Solving Partnership (PSP) set up earlier this summer in a bid to solve the problem.

German pastry chef Falko Burkert, who runs Falko Cafe and Restaurant in the former George Hotel, was among those at the Community and Police Partnership (CAPP) meeting.

He said: “The latest incident was [on Sunday] and there was a fight in the flats above the Shopsmart shop. Glass was broken and there was glass all over the High Street.

“What is actually getting done against the people?”

Complaints had been passed on to police at the CAPP meeting last month.

Concerns ranged from people shouting and swearing to congregating in doorways and aggressive behaviour.

Mr Burkert added: “Language is being thrown out of windows, rubbish is being thrown of the windows.

“The barrel is full and it is now overflowing. It is coming to the point where it is not acceptable anymore.”

Erica Muirhead of Erica’s, also on High Street, also had concerns about the situation.

She said: “I have had my business 39 years.

“In the last six-month period, I have never known Haddington to have so much anti-social, antagonistic behaviour in our High Street.

Putting people off

“It is putting people off coming into the town.

“It is frightening and disruptive to our working day.”

The PSP, which meets again tomorrow (Friday), is made up of representatives from Police Scotland, East Lothian Council’s Safer Communities team, including community wardens, Haddington’s community council and business association.

The CAPP meeting was attended by Constable Lynn Black and new Haddington Community Officer Constable Charlie Duncan. Both stressed police were working with a number of agencies to try to find a solution. However, it would take time, with a previous PSP in the town lasting two years.

PC Black, who grew up in the town, confirmed the issue would remain one of the group’s three priorities until the next meeting, when the matter would be looked at again. Her colleague said “daily patrols, high visibility” would be carried out whenever possible.

He added: “We were out today to do a patrol on High Street for half an hour or so.

“I was going to come and introduce myself and I am very aware of the problems. I was at the first PSP meeting to discuss how we tackle it.”

Members of the public who spot any issue are urged to contact police and not wait until public meetings to report any problems.