Chilling gang attacks must be stopped

Reports of two serious gang attacks in just a few days raise questions about youth behaviour in Scotland. Both incidents reveal a mob savagery of the kind William Golding immortalised in his confronting novel, Lord of the Flies.

In the first instance, three teenagers admitted in court to being part of a gang attack on a vulnerable woman in her 40s at Dunfermline Bus Station around 11pm last year – when the buses were still running and people were around.

Nobody came to the woman’s aid in the attack, which was said to have lasted about 25 minutes until the police arrived.

During the ordeal she was thrown to the ground, kicked, had her hair set alight, and was repeatedly spat upon.

The victim is understood to have mental health issues and a learning disability.

In the second attack, witnessed this weekend by the secretary of the Burntisland Community Council, a man in his 30s was set upon by a gang of around 16 youths, beaten with poles, and had his head stamped on.

He is understood to have suffered serious facial injuries, including a broken jaw. Blood lay in the street after the attack in horrific testimony to savage and mindless violence.

It is incomprehensible that young people could behave in this way, ganging up on others with such vicousness.

Their parents need to take some responsibility too, and above all, this barbaric behaviour must be swiftly stopped. It has no place in our society.