Asbo blitz on teenage terrors

Published on Monday 16 February 2009 09:21

POLICE are seeking antisocial behaviour orders against 29 teenagers accused of waging a campaign of terror in a Lothians town.

Two of the ringleaders, a boy and a girl aged 16, have already been served with orders banning them from leaving their homes between 6pm and 6am, or congregating with more than two people.

The pair have both been charged with breaking their Asbos – the girl four times and the boy twice – and face the threat of being sent to a youth detention centre.

Police have made 29 arrests among youths who have been involved in a string of disturbances since the summer.

Officers in Midlothian staged a blitz against the teenagers after receiving dozens of complaints from residents in the Lime Grove area of Mayfield, Dalkeith, who reported fights, under-age drinking, vandalism and harassment.

Extra patrols were employed in the "rabbit warren" of streets on the estate, while evidence was gathered to seek Asbos against the troublemakers.

A local shopkeeper also agreed to stop selling Buckfast and other inexpensive drinks in a bid to stop the youths getting hold of alcohol. A woman has also been charged with buying alcohol for youngsters as part of the crack-down.

The shop itself, in Oak Crescent, has been subject to a series of attacks by vandals, while other residents have had their windows smashed.

The police blitz has led to a drop in the number of reported incidents, with local residents welcoming the action. Youth-related calls in the area fell from 38 during November to 15 in December.

As well as the two teenagers served with Asbos, 16 boys and 11 girls, aged 12 to 17, are facing orders unless their behaviour changes after receiving cautions.

Five have signed antisocial behaviour contracts (ABCs), which usually lead to an Asbo if their terms are broken, and five more have been interviewed with their parents by police and the council's antisocial behaviour team. The other 16 have received written warnings.

Inspector John McGill said: "There are several streets in the Lime Grove area that have experienced antisocial behaviour problems. It had become a gathering point for youths on most nights, but more at the weekends.

"It became particularly bad during the school summer holidays. We were receiving calls about drunk youths, harassment of residents and other disturbances."

Community beat officers targeted the gang alongside council-funded officers from the Community and Police Partnership (CAPP).

Residents are also setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the area in an effort to end the problems.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "This has always been an area where kids have hung out and it's never been a problem. But now we're dealing with teenagers who have absolutely no respect. If you say anything about what they are doing, you get abuse and threats.

"

Local councillor Lisa Beattie said: "There's been a substantial reduction in antisocial behaviour, but we're not getting complacent. We've broken its back, but there's still a lot of work to do."