The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gang of youths go on wrecking spree at fun fair – smashing car and shop windows.
Car and shop windows smashed by vandals
Acts of anti-social behaviour committed by youths flocking to a funfair in Glenrothes in recent days have been roundly condemned.
Car and shop windows were smashed and vehicle wing mirrors were damaged in the town’s Woodside area by a gang of youngsters who had apparently visited Stirling’s Family Funfairs in Poplar Road.
The rides and attractions arrived on Thursday and will be open from 2.30pm to 8.45pm each day until Sunday, but it is understood that police patrols have had to be stepped up after the disorder over the weekend.
Business owner Colin Duncan, who runs the Madhouse Bakery on Woodside Road, said he was facing a bill of at least £1,000 after two of his windows were smashed.
“My wife and I have put a lot of hard work into the business and it’s something we could do without,” he said.
“We weren’t targeted for any reason, it’s just mindless violence.
“I believe they set a bin on fire at the back of the Co-op as well. They’ve just wanted to cause as much damage as possible.”
Councillor Ross Vettraino said he had been contacted by a number of concerned people and questioned the logic of having the fun fair so close to the community.
“I was against the fun fair being held in Poplar Road in the first place because it had the potential for nuisance, and problems with parking,” he said.
“One of my constituents emailed me on Saturday morning to say that car windows had been smashed, shop windows were broken and shop units were damaged, so I’m absolutely appalled.
“The police said they’ve never had any problem with the family-run fun fair in the past, but that’s not the issue.
“The owners of the fun fair don’t want and wouldn’t want any trouble, of course they don’t. For me, the answer is not to allow these fun fairs where there is a potential for nuisance.”
A spokesman for Stirling’s Family Funfairs stressed that it had closed at around 8.30pm, around five hours before the incidents took place.
“We are sorry for damage that has been done to the property, I understand it happened about 1.30am on Saturday morning,” he said.
“A resident reported a disturbance. There is CCTV coverage and the police have told me it is an ongoing investigation.
“I and the fun fair staff went outside the fair and were watching as the visitors left the area. By 9pm there was no one around and we all went in. There were other police patrols later in the evening and all was quiet. “We did not hear any disturbances.” He said staff had since been informed that there has been “ongoing problems” in relation to people setting fires in nearby woodland prior to their arrival.
A police spokesman said they are investigating the anti-social behaviour complaints.