KIDS RUN RIOT

Residents say they’re scared to go outside

Young louts are making life a misery in Wishaw.

And their behavior is so bad that some parents are refusing to let their own kids out in case they get caught up in the ongoing trouble.

A number of angry residents hit out at the antisocial problems which have blighted Greenlaw Avenue, Coldstream Crescent and Stobo Street in Coltness over the past few weeks.

They gathered at a meeting of Coltness Community Council where three local councillors heard of their anger and frustration.

One woman said: “The police have been up there at least 20 times. My child keeps asking me when she can go outside to play. I can’t do that.

“She won’t be allowed out when it’s this bad.”

“We’ve also had the council up every couple of days to repair glass panes because they keep getting smashed up. It’s shocking.”

Another resident added: “In our block in Coldstream it’s absolutely terrible.

“I saw a boy battering the fence of an old woman ‘s house and when she came out he gave her dog’s abuse.

“I have lived there for the past 16 years and this is the first time it has been as serious as it is now. It’s really bad.”

All three Murdostoun councillors at the meeting - Nicky Shevlin, Louise Roarty and Cameron Mcmanus - confirmed they had been contacted by locals living in the streets about the problems.

Councillor Shevlin said: “We’ve had reports of kids walking about at two and three in the morning.

“I have met with Inspector Martin Spiers from the police and the council’s housing manager.

“There is an intention to hold a public meeting to allay any fears.

“It won’t be an overnight fix but we will sort this out.

“The police’s words to me where they will lock them if it’s needed.”

Community council chairman John Carr welcomed the police’s intervention.

He added: “The police are trying their best but the bottom line is we have to keep on top of this.

“Residents up there have suffered enough.”