Cops in Lanarkshire seized 17 litres of alcohol from youngsters in one weekend as part of a new initiative tackling anti-social behaviour.
Cops in East Kilbride have been conducting high visibility foot patrols within Calderglen Park with assistance from the support unit, the mounted branch and air support.
It comes after a number of local beauty spots – including K-Woodlands – have been blighted by vandalism and underage drinking.
The new scheme also sees parental letters being sent to all youths involved in any incidents in a bid to discourage further disorder.
Schools across the area broke up for the Easter holidays on April 1 and in the first weekend of the anti-social behaviour scheme, local police were deployed. That saw them:
- Issue six police warnings;
- Make seven arrests. Including one where a teen was found in possession of an offensive weapon;
- Issue one fixed penalty notice;
- Make 34 alcohol seizures totalling 17 litres of alcohol;
- Issue 10 parental letters.
Sergeant Jamie Madden told Lanarkshire Live : “Last weekend was really positive.
“We had some great results and even a positive result was seizing a knuckle duster from a teenager who has been reported for being in possession of an offensive weapon.
“Youths have been engaging with local officers and there’s been a really positive response from parents to the parental letters which have been sent out.
“It’s great to see the public support the attempts we are making to challenge underage drinking and it’s links to anti-social behaviour, especially when you see problems that have occurred over the Easter weekend in Edinburgh and Glasgow with large crowds forming and causing disorder.”
Licensed premises in the East Kilbride area have signed up to a new bottle marking scheme launched by local cops and supported by South Lanarkshire Council.
Alcohol will be marked in stores with an identification symbol prior to purchase with a mark that isn’t visible to the human eye.
If alcohol is seized or found discarded within the park, police will be able to identify the origin of that sale.
Any offences highlighted will be dealt with appropriately.
Sergeant Madden added: “The bottle marking scheme will cover the three week period that the schools are off for Easter and officers have been tasked to proactively engage with youths to prevent crime and detect any offences.
“So far the scheme has been a great success and locally we have had a great response.
“This scheme is a significant piece of work in relation to reducing the supply of alcohol to youths who are thereafter causing issues and nuisance within the local community.
“This is the first time that this has been trialled locally and the hope is it will be rolled out across Lanarkshire division if a success.
“This initiative is being supported by the licensing department at South Lanarkshire Council and local community councillors.
“By working together we can reduce instances of anti-social behaviour to allow all members of our community to enjoy the local parks safely.”
