Destructive school pupils causing chaos
Residents near Gleniffer High fed up
TRACY-ANN CARMICHAEL
Foxbar residents have told how pupils from a nearby school are making their lives a misery.
Locals living near Durrockstock Park have told how teenagers from Gleniffer High are behind a string of antisocial acts which are blighting their neighbourhood.
They say passing youngsters from the Amochrie Road school are behind a string of nuisance acts, including a recent blaze which saw a number of trees destroyed at the popular park.
One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told the Express: “There is litter everywhere with them. We had to phone the Fire Brigade recently because they were down in the trees having a smoke and some of the trees caught fire. They basically just come through the neighbourhood doing what they like.
“There have been reports that they are trying to get at people’s pets, for what reason we don’t know, but we have kids here who we would like to be able to go out to play without worrying what is happening with these older kids and what they are going to be doing.”
The fed-up resident added: “They are causing havoc, they just don’t care and people have spoken to them about it and they just get an absolute mouthful.
“There are quite a good bunch of people round here, out trying to do their bit for the place. It’s infuriating, they can’t seem to see what they are doing.”
Durrockstock Park has also been included in Renfrewshire Council’s £1.25 million programme to upgrade the site and install new play equipment, but the move could prove a waste of time, says the residents, who added: “The council have included the park in their programme of works and it’s good that they are going to do something but apparently it’s going to cost around £80,000 and at the moment, the way things stand, we have fears for the play equipment.
“Unless they get this sorted out, it’s going to be a bit of a waste of time.”
We told last week how Paisley’s community policing team were set to step up patrols after a string of incidents, which saw play equipment vandalised and bins set on fire.
Neighbours say they are connected with the disorder caused by Gleniffer pupils.
Area councillor Stephen Burns blasted the behaviour as “irresponsible” and branded the antics “mindless vandalism”.
Renfrewshire Council says schools in the area encourage good citizenship, telling the Express: “All our schools recognise the importance of being good neighbours. We stress to pupils the importance of them being good representatives of their school while travelling to and from them, and of what constitutes appropriate behaviour.
“Pupils are also regularly reminded of the importance of respecting outdoor environments and of disposing of litter properly.”