The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Call for action to tackle teenage tearaways in quiet Fife village
Locals say lives made a misery by anti-social behaviour
Teenage tearaways have been allowed to run riot in a normally quiet Fife village and locals say they have had enough.
Residents in Gauldry, which is around two miles south of Newport-on-Tay, have contacted The Courier to say their lives have been made a misery by local youths who have been committing acts of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in recent months.
The situation is understood to have come to a head one night last week when a group of teenagers targeted parked cars with rocks before throwing the stones towards people and properties.
Police have confirmed they are investigating the reports, although no arrests have been made yet.
One local woman, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “We’ve had real problems with this one group of youths but because of their age nothing seems to be getting done.
“People have been threatened in the street and they are really intimidating.
“This last incident last week was the final straw because a woman had 11 rocks thrown at her house before her car was badly damaged. When she came out of the door to challenge them, she was lucky the rocks did not hit her and cause her serious injury.
“Many people in the village are vulnerable – they are either single females, disabled or elderly – and they shouldn’t have to live like this.”
Chief Inspector Steven Hamilton, local area commander for north-east Fife, said the Tay Bridgehead area is generally seeing a “consistent positive picture” in terms of anti-social behaviour. “While there are intermittent spikes in minor disorder, which can often be associated with seasonal peaks, there is no analytical data which suggests any prolonged level of concern within this ward,” he said.
“Residents in the Taycoast have continued to report minor issues with graffiti, and work continues, in liaison with our colleagues from Dundee, to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“There is a continual monitoring of trends to ensure that resources are deployed as and when required.
“In recent months there has been a minor rise in issues with youths in the Gauldry area becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, including Section 38 disorder offences (acting in a threatening or abusive manner), minor fire-raising and vandalism.
“Officers have completed a number of inquires to positively identify those responsible, and where appropriate the individuals have been charged and referred to partner agencies.”
“This last incident last week was the final straw because a woman had 11 rocks thrown at her house before her car was badly damaged