Residents to call for action

Fears over anti-social behaviour

Business owners, residents and a community group are calling for urgent action to be taken to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Village.

A meeting was held during which concerns were raised over the South Lanarkshire Council-run Lindsay House homeless unit and, in particular, the YPeople project, which works with individuals with alcohol and drug dependency issues.

Furious shopkeepers claimed that they and their customers are regularly harassed, verbally abused and threatened by residents of Lindsay House.

Residents claimed the Village was now becoming a “no-go area” and East Mains Community Council called on local authority bosses to better manage the unit.

Chair Bill Arthur said: “We have always said and still say YPeople should not be in the Village. That’s where the majority of the problems stem from.

“The police do all they can but if the unit is indeed here to stay it’s high time SLC got their act together and ran it properly.”

One business owner said: “Visitors are being intimidated to the extent they won’t want to shop in the Village and that’s the last thing already struggling small businesses need.”

Police and Lindsay House representatives at the meeting admitted there had been an increase in incidents in recent weeks but urged any residents or businesses to report all anti-social behaviour.

Daniel Lowe, SLC’s executive director of housing and technical resources, said: “The council has a statutory duty to provide temporary or supported accommodation to anyone deemed homeless.

“Some changes were made recently to the operational delivery at Lindsay House.

“While the service changes have been closely managed, we recognise the concerns raised by the local community and business owners and will work pro-actively with Police Scotland and other partners to ensure the facility does not have a negative impact on the area or on those who live and work there.”