All hate and no love from hammer yob

A hammer-wielding yob showed no love for others during a Valentine’s Day tirade.

The aggressive male was armed with the dangerous tool while trying to kick a door in at a property on Hillfoot Road in Gartlea.

Stunned locals contacted the police to report his crazed conduct and the anti-Cupid then took off before officers arrived on the street.

The constables later found the man sitting on a railway bridge parapet nearby and he was taken into custody.

Inspector Steven Miller, of Airdrie police, said: “The man was spotted at the railway bridge and safely arrested following the quick actions of our officers.

“They had attended the scene responding to reports the male was kicking a door while in possession of a hammer.

“The man is due to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court from custody and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.”

Catalogue of offences leads to custody

A prolific Coatbridge criminal spent the weekend behind bars for a catalogue of incidents.

The 28-year-old man was charged with “various road traffic and disorder offences” following his arrest on Sunday evening.

The reported incidents took place on the town’s Selkirk Way and Bellevue Way and officers’ attention was drawn to the male in the Carnbroe area.

A full report on the arrest was submitted to the procurator fiscal ahead of his date in the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Town centre parking concerns on the agenda

Airdrie police have met with the council and members of the public to address concerns about town centre parking.

Constables Daryl Robertson and James Dunlevy spoke to concerned residents while out on patrol, with issues raised including motorists parking illegally and confusion over certain road markings.

Inspector Miller told the Advertiser: “The constables were responding to reports from members of the public around repeat concerns of town centre parking.

“In addition to these conversations, our officers met with colleagues from North Lanarkshire Council’s roads department in relation to existing restrictions and road markings in an effort to reduce such concerns.

“We would also urge motorists to observe the rules of the road when parking in the town centre, and to make use of the spacious Hallcraig Street car park.”

Harsher penalties for drivers on mobile phones

A police crackdown on motorists using their mobile phones while driving gets underway next week – and Monklands residents have been warned they face harsher punishments.

The new law comes into effect next Wednesday, March 1, and will see a doubling of the penalties faced by motorists who are distracted by using an internet device or mobile phone while at the wheel.

Drivers currently stopped while using a mobile are issued with three penalty points on their licence and given a £100 fine.

Under the new legislation, the consequences become two-fold, with six points and a £200 fine handed down – and, in more serious cases, police officers have the power to prosecute drivers for careless or dangerous driving.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: “The risks associated with using a phone while behind the wheel have always been very clear.

“Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or text message as it affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.

“Distraction reduces hazard perception and increases reaction times in a similar way to drink-driving, making drivers much more likely to cause deaths and injuries.

“Drivers who think they can multi-task are fooling themselves. Rresearch shows 98 per cent are unable to divide their time without it affecting performance.

“Talking on a phone handheld or hands-free, texting, emailing, adjusting sat-navs, eating, drinking and smoking are all proven to increase crash risk.”

Officers attended the scene responding to reports the male was kicking a door while in possession of a hammer