Yob youth reports at record low

COMPLAINTS about antisocial behaviour involving youths in a Lothian town and its surrounding area have been slashed by nearly 80 per cent, new figures have shown.

Police said youth complaints in the Fa’side ward, which covers Tranent and the surrounding villages of Pencaitland, Macmerry, Ormiston and Elphinstone, were now at an “all-time low”.

In April 2011, the number of youth complaints stood at 111, and by the end of the year this had been reduced to 23.

Police have attributed the drop to a “sustained” effort to tackle under-age drinking.

Inspector Helen Miller said: “Since May 2011, my officers have been pro-actively dealing with children and young people who have been found in possession of alcohol or under the influence of alcohol.

“Officers have reviewed every reported incident of youths being in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol.

“Follow-up visits to their homes or station-based interviews have identified a number of adults who have taken money from the youths and purchased alcohol on their behalf.”