Claim scaffolding at Preston Tower seen as 'Alton Towers' to youths

The claims come as the rise in anti-social behaviour around the construction work at Preston Tower and its gardens is making some residents feel unsafe in their own homes.

The tower was first constructed in the 15th century and extended upwards in the 17th century when a doocot was also added.

It is currently covered in scaffolding to facilitate conservation work on the structure’s walls, with access closed to the public during the restoration process.

At a meeting of Prestonpans Community Council, two residents attended to share their experience of anti-social behaviour.

Incidents increased over the summer months, with reports of youths using the scaffolding around Preston Tower as a “climbing frame”, “battering the bus stop” and threatening to kick a walker’s dog.

Preston Tower

The youths were described as being aged 15 to 20, both girls and boys, and wearing masks and goggles.

One evening, the youths were said to have entered a courtyard near one of the resident’s homes, a shared area of the adjacent houses, where “vulnerable neighbours” also lived.

The resident claimed that the youths left all the gates open and removed brooms from a shared shed.

She stated that, when she confronted the youths, “one of the brooms came flying over our heads”.

She added: “When they confront you, up come the masks.

“We didn’t feel secure, at night we were being doubly careful.”

'Beyond a joke'

Concerns were raised about youths climbing Preston Tower and its scaffolding, with one resident stating that “if someone gets seriously injured or killed, that place could be closed for years”.

Another commented: “It’s a magnet – it’s like Alton Towers for them.

“It’s gone beyond a joke.”

Members of the community council sympathised with the plight of the residents.

DJ Johnston-Smith, chairman of the community council, shared his dissatisfaction that, he felt, nothing was being done to tackle the issue, despite numerous efforts by himself and others to highlight the problem.

Some members of the community council agreed that there was a need for more security cameras in the area, with concerns also raised about the vulnerable people living there.

'Ongoing issues'

Aniqah Chaudhry, community development officer for East Lothian Council’s connected communities, suggested that the youths were coming from outwith the local area and were “groups of kids from Edinburgh using the free bus service”.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson confirmed that the local authority was aware of an increased police presence in the area.

The spokesperson added: “Our safer communities team have been adding extra daily community warden patrols in and around this area and also using a mobile CCTV camera at the south side of Preston Tower Gardens.

“They have also visited and spoken to a number of complainers to get details of incidents.

“Advisory leaflets providing details on how to report anti-social behaviour have been posted in neighbouring properties around this area.

“We would encourage anyone with information to contact our Safer Communities team on 01875 824307.”

Sergeant Lucy Langford, of Police Scotland’s East Lothian Community Action Team, sought to reassure the public that police were working to tackle the issue.

She said: “We are aware of ongoing issues relating to anti-social behaviour in the Preston Road area and parts of the town centre in Prestonpans, and we are working with partners, including East Lothian Council, to address concerns in the community.

“This includes additional officers on patrol, along with council wardens to provide public reassurance and deter this kind of behaviour, which is not acceptable.

“I would ask members of the public to report this kind of behaviour to us via 101, or 999 if it is an emergency, and please provide any names and descriptions of those involved to assist officers with their enquiries.”