Police and other agencies have responded to the public’s growing concern over a number of worrying incidents in Craigneuk.
Local officers from Wishaw Community Policing along with partner agencies - including Scottish Fire and Rescue, North Lanarkshire Council’s Housing and Environmental Health teams - carried out a day of action to provide reassurance to tenants and residents.
They wanted to hammer home their zero tolerance approach towards those engaging in antisocial behaviour.
On the day, officers took actions at households where antisocial behaviour has been prevalent.
Chief Inspector Gillian Norrie told Lanarkshire Live : “We are committed to partnership efforts in addressing the concerns of the local people of Craigneuk.
“By sharing information with North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) regarding known individuals and places of concern, we will jointly address the issues arising and bring some positivity to the people in the area who are most affected.
“Thursday saw local police officers, housing staff, antisocial investigators and environmental protection officers attend the area conducting a range of activities to make Craigneuk a better place to live.
“As a result of this activity police we were able to respond to an emerging incident within a property at Glencleland Road which resulted in vital information being gleaned regarding an ongoing enquiry in the area.
“Officers also supported housing officers to reclaim a property on Wingate Street along with issuing a further six abandonment notices on properties failing to adhere to the terms of their tenancy.
“A large quantity of waste was removed from the area and officers are currently studying CCTV footage to identify the people responsible for fly-tipping and dumping household items.
“The police and local authority will now continue to work together to identify the people and places causing the most concern and will focus on this in the coming months.”
Recent incidents in the area include a brazen firearm incident took place in Gateside Road in July.
A number of residents reported shots being fired sparking a huge armed response from cops.
Police in Wishaw also appealed for witnesses following a report of a firearm discharge in the early hours of May 31.
And in March, cops and councillors appealed for calm in Craigneuk following a rise in antisocial behaviour.
Meanwhile, one local councillor has confirmed a new HD CCTV camera system is be to installed in the area.
The works will see all of the legacy analogue cameras replaced with new High Definition IP cameras that provide a much clearer image and perform well both during the hours of daylight and darkness.
The £200,000 scheme will see brand new devices installed in strategic spots, which had been identified by police as important areas to monitor.
Craigneuk councillor Kenneth Duffy said: “We have had a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour recently, these improvements to CCTV are a significant action and will be put to good use by Police Scotland and NLC to evidence and capture those responsible.
“The police have been fantastic, and they are fully on board with what we are trying to do to improve this area. I am certain by raising awareness and coming together as a community we will be able to stamp out this behaviour that is coming from a few.”
Fellow Craigneuk councillor Agnes Magowan added: "Teamwork is the way forward. I am very sad about the major antisocial behaviour of various types in Craigneuk.
"The majority of people in Craigneuk are positive, kind, helpful people who just want to get on with their life but they are adversely affected by the minority who refuse to conform and make life difficult and uncomfortable in the area.
"I am delighted that this is being dealt with in a systematic fashion by the police, fire service and the council working in partnership to impart the message that antisocial behaviour of all types is simply unacceptable.”
