PRESTON PANS: United force against yobs

United force against yobs

POLICE are winning the war on crime in Prestonpans – with the latest reported crime figures falling for the second month in a row.

And in the wake of that success, attention is now focused on the joint bid by East Lothian Council and police to stamp out anti-social behaviour in the town.

Only 31 crimes were recorded by police from August 15 to September 11, down 16 from the previous month, with 15 of them solved.

Police received a total of 282 calls relating to criminal activity during that period, compared to 258 from July 15 to August 14.

Youth complaints also rose one per cent during the last month, with 73 of the 282 calls relating to youth disturbances.

There were five crimes of dishonesty, including thefts, compared to nine the previous month. And no domestic house break-ins were recorded for the second time.

Four assaults and 11 calls relating to vandalism were also recorded, both up on the previous month.

There has been a dramatic reduction in the number of calls to the Hawthorn Road area over the last two months with only six visits made there.

The Inchview/Redburn areas received 16 calls and Preston Terrace/Crescent received 15 calls.

Sergeant Neil Valentine said that a problem solving partnership on anti-social behaviour between the council and police was on-going in the Prestonpans area.

He told Prestonpans community councillors at their recent meeting: “There is a police operation at the moment with high visibility and plain clothes officers.

“We have a list of 22 names of troublemakers whose parents have been written to explaining the anti-social behaviour laws.

“Three have already been implicated under the council’s policy and police have visited these homes and they will be dealt with robustly.

“We have had great support from Kenny Black (East Lothian Council’s anti-social behaviour co-ordinator).”

Mr Black also believes anti-social behaviour has caused “alarming distress” to residents in Prestonpans.

He said: “There is still a lot of work to get done, but we have written to the areas most affected and the local community is behind us and they can help us reduce the problem.

“This is a co-ordinated approach.

“There has been a significant increase in police presence over the last couple of weeks.

“Anti-social behaviour has caused alarming distress and a number of people have come forward to complain.”

Sgt Valentine also revealed that police were considering the hire or lease of CCTV vans to help curb the problem.

Prestonpans Councillor Willie Innes welcomed the “positive” report and said that improved communication between police and residents raised confidence in the community.

“It does take time to stamp out this type of behaviour but this report is very encouraging,” he added.

“Once youngsters realise that there is a penalty at the end of it then they might think twice about committing offences.”

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