Kids causing problems

Residents in Manse Road in Stonehouse have had cause to contact Police Scotland in recent weeks, with an increase in reports of youths gathering in the fields, park and cemetery, drinking and causing annoyance.

Farm land near what is known locally as the ‘Horse Pool’ is primarily the area where up to 40 youths congregate at weekends, and many of them consume alcohol.

Damage has also been caused to fencing and vehicles belonging to nearby residents. Many of these youths previously congregated at the Alexander Memorial Park.

There are issues with this being an isolated area and the inherent dangers that the underfoot conditions and casual water present, especially when alcohol is involved.

There are the additional road safety issues in that the roadway is narrow, with no footpaths or street lighting present on that part of Manse Road. Despite this, many youths walk on it under the influence of alcohol in the late evening.

Local officers have undertaken additional patrols in this area and on the weekend of May 11 to 12, we had cause to be in the area again and observed numerous bottles and rubbish. We will continue to target this area going forward.

We often find that parents and carers are not fully aware of their children’s whereabouts, and it is hoped that this will indicate where many of them are on Friday and Saturday nights and highlight to parents the potential dangers of being there.

Similarly, on the evening of Saturday, May 12, large groups of youths gathered at Chatelherault Park and train station, which caused reports of disorder. These are areas that I wrote about in a recent article, and we will continue patrols in these areas.

In the early hours of Tuesday, May 15, a house in Glamis Crescent, Blantyre, was targeted by a thief who snuck into the property and stole a ring and other property. Incidents such as these are particularly distressing, and I would appeal to anyone who has information to contact the police.

In times of warmer weather, people often forget to ensure that doors and windows are secured before going to bed and I would take this opportunity to remind everyone to do so.

Eddlewood in Hamilton has seen several reports of thefts from garages and vehicles in recent days. There would appear to be a link between many of the incidents, and PC Ian Archibald of the Local Problem Solving Team, covering Eddlewood, is co-ordinating the enquiry into many of them.

If you have any information that can help his investigation, please contact Hamilton Police office.

On May 9, the Greenfield Social Club, Earnock Street, Hamilton, was the location of a theft of sports bag containing electrical equipment and medication. There is CCTV within the property, which is being reviewed, and anyone who finds such items or who has any information about this crime is encouraged to get in touch.

Local officers in Hamilton are seeking information in relation to an incident which occurred on Russell Street, at 11pm on Friday, May 11. A 17-year-old male was assaulted after being approached by a group of male youths, and was hit with a piece of wood. Luckily he only sustained relatively minor injuries, but it left him badly shaken.

If you have any information relating to the above, then please call 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800555111.