LOUT OF ORDER
Lager louts have used lockdown to trash a beauty spot near Ayr’s historic Craigie House.
A wooded area known locally as The Crescent has been decimated as the drunkards smash broken bottles, start fires and leave the place like a tip.
The weekly destruction has left local residents and community groups in despair.
The area is also popular with dog walkers who’ve now been forced to tread carefully with their pets as they steer a path through shards of broken glass.
Those responsible are also dicing with deadly Covid- 19 as they flout social distancing rules.
Now demands are being made to take tough action against the booze soaked ‘ Covidiots.’
Angela McIntyre, who lives in Ayr, said she’s been disgusted by the state of the Crescent in recent weeks.
The 43- year- old told The Post: “I take my dog down there at the weekends and the place is always in a right state. Not only do we have to dodge the broken glass left at the side of the path and grass, there‘ s the sight of beer cans, bottles and charred wood everywhere.
” It’s disgusting to see, especially as people work so a hard in this area to keep the place in order.
“This has to stop. These kids are clearly hanging around in numbers which is dangerous too, given the current Covid- 19 pandemic.”
Jack Johnston, who is the chairman of Craigie Community Association and volunteer at the Craigie Community Litter Picking
Group, said the gangs of youths even arrive at the drinking den in taxis.
Jack said: “The problem is at the side of Craigie House, adjacent to the university and it is commonly known as The Crescent.
“There have been lots of drinkers gathering at The Crescent, even before Covid- 19.
“Now that we’ve got all the new restrictions it is a nightly affair, but at weekends they arrive in taxis – with lots alcohol – from about six o’clock.
“They’ve been setting fire to large tree logs, which is not a good idea in a built- up environment.
“I’m a volunteer with the Craigie Community Litter Picking Group and we have been going out on Fridays and Saturdays to clear up the rubbish that has been left behind.
“But I really want to bring this to people’s attention because it’s becoming a big problem.”
The litter picking group’s weekly haul of rubbish has included the likes of super strength lager, bottles of Vodka, gin, Buckfast and MD20/ 20. One popular favourite seems to be Dragon Soop, an alcoholic energy drink.
On some collections the litter pickers have filled at least half a dozen bin bags full of rubbish.
A council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns, and are liaising with the police and the Fire and Rescue Service. Our community safety officers are also monitoring the area.
“We would encourage the landowner to help keep the area litter free.”
Chief Inspector Brian Anderson, Area Commander at South Ayrshire, said: “I would like to reassure members of our local community that officers have been actively responding to concerns raised by residents in the area around Craigie House about youth disorder and underage drinking.
“Additional patrols have been carried out in this area to increase police visibility and accessibility and to deter and detect offences.
“Along with South Ayrshire Council and other partners, we will continue to work together to deal with incidents of disorder.
“I would urge the young people themselves, and their parents, to consider the negative impact their behaviour is having on other members of their community and ask them to be responsible for their actions.
“We have cont i n u a l l y made clear the importance of following the regulations and guidance about gatherings and we are asking people to take personal responsibility and do the right thing and remember the aim of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect other and save lives.”
He added: “Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance.”