Teenage gangs go on rampage

Police vow crackdown after one woman sprayed by youths

Gangs of unruly teens have gone on the rampage in Fife, damaging property and threatening people who try to stop them.

Rosyth, Inverkeithing and the surrounding area have been increasingly plagued by large groups of drunken youths, with cars and houses attacked in recent days.

Passersby have been terrorised by the anti-social louts, with one woman being targeted by a group who sprayed her with a substance and threw a bottle at her.

One resident, Carol Kane, remarked: “It’s getting worse. I have been 44 years in Rosyth and never known it to be so bad.”

Police have vowed to crack down on the problem by stepping up patrols and adopting a zero tolerance approach. A number of youths, some as young as 14, have already been charged.

Police patrols are being stepped up in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour in a Fife town. A series of incidents involving groups of teenagers have recently been reported in Rosyth and the surrounding area.

Police say officers will take a zero tolerance approach when it comes to dealing with the culprits.

Most of the problems have involved large groups of unruly youths drinking and causing a nuisance. There have also been reports of vandalism to property and vehicles.

One woman said she was sprayed on the back and face with an unknown substance by three teenage boys on Queensferry Road.

She was uninjured, but had the bottle thrown at her when she challenged the group.

The new South West Fife community inspector Tony Rogers said it would be one of his first priorities.

“In my first week in the post I have become aware of ongoing issues with groups of youths involved in anti-social behaviour and vandalism in and around Rosyth and Inverkeithing,” he said.

“This type of behaviour is causing obvious concern to the local community and will not be tolerated.

“My officers have been working very hard in recent days to identify those responsible,” he added.

“Positive lines of inquiry are being followed and once I am in a position to make any further announcement I will do so.

“Dedicated patrols are planned over following evenings and my team will do everything they can to prevent further issues throughout the weekend and ahead.”

Two 14-year-old boys have been charged and reported to the procurator fiscal in relation to vandalism to a vehicle on King’s Road, Rosyth.

Officers are also investigating reports of car windows being smashed, wing mirrors being pushed back and bus shelters being destroyed across the area.

One resident, Carol Kane, posted on social media: “It’s getting worse.

“Have been 44 years in Rosyth and never known it to be so bad.”

Elsewhere, a 15-year old boy has been charged following a series of vandal attacks in Dysart at the weekend.

A police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a number of vehicles vandalised in the High Street and Howard Place areas of Dysart around 2.10am on February 28.

“A 15-year-old male youth has been charged in connection with the incident and will be reported to the relevant youth justice authorities.”

Anyone with information should call 101, or email RosythCPT@Scotland.pnn. police.uk

“It’s getting worse. I have been 44 years in Rosyth and never known it to be so bad

WILFUL DAMAGE: A car with its rear window smashed – just one of many incidents in the Rosyth area in recent weeks.