They think they are untouchable
Mick steps in after home targeted
Coltness yobs are continuing to run riot - forcing residents to take matters into their own hands.
Buchan Street resident Mick McNab, 33, said he felt like he had no other option but to chase the delinquents he caught throwing stones at his windows last Wednesday night at around 6.30pm.
The 33- year- old, who lives with his ill mother, claims he was told by Police Scotland officers that there was nothing they could do because those responsible were under 16.
He said: “I think things are getting worse as they now know the police can’t touch them because of their age.
“So what’s to stop them doing what they want?
“Absolutely nothing unless residents stand up and go out after them like I did.
“At the moment they think they are untouchable.”
Mick says he managed to catch a few of the culprits after chasing them up to Webster Power Products in Coltness Road.
He said he forced them to give him their names and addresses and handed the information over to the police.
He added: “The police usually tell people not to go out but because I ran out and chased them I think I’ve probably gave them the scare they needed. Something needs to be done to stop this from happening.“
Earlier this month we reported how the group of around 20 boys and girls, aged between 12 and 16, were causing havoc for fed-up locals.
Some of the antics of the unruly youngsters included assaults, underage street drinking, lighting fires in the woods, stealing wheelie bins, throwing stones at buses, shoplifting from Tesco, playing loud music, vandalising private property and entering the nearby building site and breaking machinery.
Another concerned resident, who did not want to be named in fear or repercussions, said: “The place is a disaster zone. Every weekend something happens and the police are called.
“It’s getting beyond a joke now. They are just doing what they want. They think they rule the place.
“It’s worrying to see children that young acting this way.”
Ward 19 community police officers have been actively targeting the area for the past few weeks and are working closely with both North Lanarkshire Council housing and their antisocial behaviour team.
Police Scotland Inspector William Jeffrey said: “I would encourage any of the local residents affected by this type of behaviour to contact the police.
“I can assure the local residents of Coltness that the Community Policing Team and their partner agencies are working together to address the issue of antisocial behaviour within the locality.”