Plea to parents as teenagers charged
Spate of incidents sparks appeal by police
Four teenagers were charged with anti-social behaviour in Perth last week.
Following a spate of the antisocial behaviour, vandalism and underage drinking in a number of spots across the Fair City, the youngsters were picked up by police on the South Inch.
They were then handed over to their parents following the incidents.
Now, Police Scotland’s Tayside division is urging parents to make sure they know where their teenagers are, and whether or not they have any alcohol on them.
Chief Inspector Ian Scott, police commander for Perth and Kinross, said: “Antisocial behaviour, often caused by the consumption of alcohol, continues to be an issue within Perth city at the weekends. The focus at present is around the South Inch, the tunnel area [between the South Inch and Glenearn Road], Rodney Gardens, Rodney Fitness Centre and Moncreiffe Island.
“At the weekend four teenagers were charged and released to the care of their parents after incidents on the South Inch. Of those involved, three of them were from addresses outwith Perth.
“I ask all parents to engage with their children, find out what their plans are when coming into Perth, check they are not in possession of Greenhouses at the allotments on Moncreiffe Island were vandalised recently alcohol and remind them that they must not behave in a disorderly manner.”
Councillor Peter Barrett, whose city centre ward covers all the hotspots in question, said parents must do more before any teenagers are given criminal convictions for their anti-social behaviour.
The Lib Dem representative said: “There has been a serious increase in vandalism to the Rodney Gardens, damage to vehicles in the car park and nearby streets. The problems are caused by large groups of youths congregating and under-age drinking.
“The problems have shifted from the South Inch, to Moncreiffe Island to the Rodney Gardens and now to cars parked at the Rodney and Brompton Terrace.
“There are a number of groups of young people getting drunk and causing damage. It was happening right next to the light nights event [at Norie-Miller Walk].”
He continued: “These kids must be going home drunk or smelling of smoke. The police have now arrested four young people in connection with the vandalism and police assault. Unless their parents step in the behaviour of some of the young people is going to result in more of them receiving criminal convictions.
“Parents need to look out for the state that their sons and daughters are in, before they get into serious trouble. I would urge parents to check what their sons and daughters are doing and not provide them with alcohol to take out of the house.”
Parents need to look out for the state that their sons and daughters are in