The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Youth crime soaring as calls for action grow
PERTH: Anti-social behaviour on the increase across the Fair City
Perth has been hit by a worrying wave of youth disturbance, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
The city’s Rodney Gardens, Moncrieffe Island and Kinnoull Hill residential areas have all been targets in recent weeks, coinciding with the nearby Night Light events.
Underage drinking under cover of darkness is believed to have fuelled the lawlessness, which has included graffiti, damage to flower beds, cars and allotments and littering.
Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett has called upon Police Scotland to increase night-time patrols and has urged parents to keep a closer eye on their children.
Both Police Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council have pledged to deploy additional officers and community wardens.
Dismayed local residents have described the anti-social behaviour as the most sustained they have ever seen.
A spike in city centre vandalism and youth disturbance will result in extra patrols on the streets of Perth.
The police have been asked to dedicate additional resources to Moncreiffe Island and Rodney Gardens and to increase their presence in the residential streets around Kinnoull Hill.
It is believed the rise in the number of incidents has been fuelled by underage drinking coinciding with the city’s Light Nights event.
Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett has urged Police Scotland to help resolve the issue “for once and for all”.
Chief Inspector Ian Scott, area commander for Perth and Kinross, confirmed there had been damage to flower beds and cars following damage to island allotments and has pledged to ensure additional patrols will be visiting the area.
That has been welcomed by Mr Barrett, who visited Rodney Gardens with representatives from the police and public to inspect damage.
Mr Barret said: “There are a number of groups of young people getting drunk and causing damage.
“It has been happening right next to the Light Nights event.
“These kids must be going home drunk or smelling of smoke and parents need to look out for the state that their sons and daughters are in or they will soon be picking them up from the police station.”
He continued: “I have asked the police to increase policing of the area and to respond quickly to any incidents.
“I have also asked the local commander for officers from the national tactical resource to provide support so we can try to resolve this once and for all.
“I urge local residents to be vigilant, to report large gatherings of youths in the area or bonfires on Moncreiffe island after dark to the police.
“I also want to emphasise to local residents the importance of reporting incidents immediately – don’t wait till the morning after, which is too late.”
Perth and Kinross Council said: “We are aware of incidents of anti-social behaviour which took place at Rodney Gardens.
“The council’s safer communities wardens were patrolling this area and engaged with the group believed to be responsible, alongside Police Scotland.
“The stewards working at the nearby Norie Miller lights event have also been asked to report any incidents to the police.”