FOOTBALL will be used to try to tackle anti-social behaviour in Haddington at weekends.

Sessions were held at the 3G pitch on the town’s Whittingehame Drive in the lead-up to Christmas, with up to 60 youngsters attending.

The free coaching sessions are currently not taking place due to coronavirus restrictions but East Lothian Council plans to restart the sessions when restrictions ease.

The coaching sessions are one of the measures being taken by the Haddington town centre Problem Solving Partnership (PSP).

The group involves Police Scotland, East Lothian Council, local councillors and members of the town’s community council, as well as representatives from local businesses.

Measures taken to date include an increase in the number of police officers and community wardens being deployed to the area at peak times, improvements carried out at Ross’s Close and the installation of two portable CCTV cameras within the town centre.

Whittingehame Drive 3G. Image: Google Maps

Whittingehame Drive 3G. Image: Google Maps

The council’s neighbourhood outreach workers are continuing to speak with young people on a Friday and Saturday evening in an effort to reduce transmission of coronavirus.

Outreach workers provide advice on keeping safe during Covid-19, personal safety, drugs and alcohol, anti-social behaviour and the need to respect the local community and physical environment.

Kenneth Black, East Lothian Council’s safer communities team manager and chairman of the PSP, said: “Anti-social behaviour has to be addressed from a number of different angles and the PSP is seeking to do that by the taking of preventative, diversionary and enforcement steps when necessary.

“Local elected members, alongside local resident and business representatives, are instrumental to the decision-making process of the PSP, and it’s hoped that this joined-up approach will deliver long-term solutions to the problems being reported.”

The local area partnership’s sub-group, the children and youth network, also met late last month to try to develop closer partnership working and discuss how best to engage with children and young people.

It is hoped that the meeting will act as a starting point to begin discussions and lead to the planning of future youth and children’s activities as the restrictions ease.

Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell, Police Scotland’s local area commander for East Lothian, said: “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any form and through the PSP we can direct all our resources to tackling the issues, not just as a quick fix but with a view of finding longer-term sustainable solutions.

“Taking this multi-agency approach ensures we get the right response to each incident and work collectively to making the area a safe place for all.”

Anti-social behaviour can be reported to East Lothian Council by calling 01875 824307, emailing asb@eastlothian.gov.uk or online at eastlothian.gov.uk