Time must be called on drinking dens
Angry residents say time needs to be called on drinking dens in East Kilbride woods – and the mess left behind.
Police have been cracking down on anti-social behaviour in and around Calderglen Country Park.
But residents who live near Lammermoor – which straddles woods at Calderglen – say boozed-up youths are still a serious problem.
And the broken glass and rubbish left behind is not only is a blight on the landscape, but a danger to dog walkers and others who frequent the area.
One woman fumed: “We have been fighting to get something done about this for years.
“The police patrols have helped but the Easter weekend was hell on wheels. I saw what must have been about 50 youths go down to the woods – in behind the new allotment plots at Lammermoor.
“But there are other parts used as drinking dens too, at least 10 I would say. The woods are left in a terrible state – there’s broken glass everywhere and trees are being burned. We also found a gas canister and needles down there. Those involved are coming up from the woods drunk and if you dare challenge them you get a torrent of abuse.” Another resident added: “Yobs are coming from all over the town and the woods are littered with bottles and cans and all sorts.
“It’s ongoing. Police have been called time after time but they still gather. The mess gets lifted and then it’s as bad as ever in no time.”
Inspector David Doherty said: “There are additional patrols to target specific hotspots and we’d warn anyone caught causing disorder or behaving in an anti-social manner that action will be taken. We would also encourage any parents dropping their kids off at large gatherings in Calderglen Park to consider the wider impact on the local community and also consider the wellbeing of their children in those circumstances.”
The East Kilbride Community Litter Pickers group also hit out at the mess on social media, after they carried out a clean-up was in the area.
The group already has 1000 members, despite only being formed weeks ago, and have organised clean-ups all over the town, with more than 700 bags of rubbish collected in total – over 300 in just one week. To join them go to www.facebook.com/ groups/436999097514075/