Residents’ anger of teen terror campaign in High Blantyre

Mar 31 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

TEEN terrors have been making the lives of High Blantyre residents a misery with a campaign of vandalism and intimidation.

Youths – said to be in their early to mid-teens – have been reported as being responsible for smashing windows, damaging cars and setting fire to property in the Main Street area over recent weeks.

One resident, a 30-year-old man who asked not to be named, has expressed his fear over the issue after claiming he spotted youngsters carrying weapons in the street.

And an 80-year-old woman and her disabled son were reportedly forced to move from their home and into rented accomodation last week after vandalism and disorder became too much to bear.

The multiple vandalism incidents have come just weeks after the Advertiser reported on deliberate fires being set in the gardens of a nearby sheltering housing complex throughout February.

Most of the incidents have happened in Main Street, Muir Street, Woodend, Waverly Terrace and Victoria Street.

Strathclyde Police have said they are aware of the vandalism reports and are making enquiries.

The 30-year-old High Blantyre man said this week: “A lot of the damage recently is down to a group of youths, who are terrorising the area.

“They have also targeted the sheltered housing complex in the area.

“I was speaking to a group of my friends and they all agree the kids are in their early to mid-teens.

“What is worse is that the police have said they know all about it, but because of the age of some of these kids, they can’t do anything.

“Meanwhile, these kids are continuing to cause a lot of hassle.

“One woman, who is 80, and her son have been forced to move out of their house and into rented accomodation because of this.

“Also, the youths have caused considerable damage to the retirement complex, and have set garden furniture on fire.”

The concerned resident told the Advertiser that some neighbours have confronted the yobs, but have been met with verbal abuse.

“These neds think they are pretty much untouchable,” he said.

“What also concerns a lot of people is that some of us noticed that they have been carrying weapons. One lad had a baton or a piece of wood, and another kid had a knife.

“No-one will go near them. They just wander up and down the street with weapons.

“There are a lot of vulnerable and elderly residents here, and they are terrified.

“It has to stop, and the police need to do more about it.”

The Advertiser attempted to contact the family said to be moving from the area, but they did not wish to comment.

Inspector Andy Munro, Community Inspector for Blantyre, said this week: “We are aware of several incidents having been reported to us, in relation to youth disorder and vandalisms to property in Main Street.

“I would like to assure residents in the local community that anti-social behaviour and youth disorder is a policing priority for us, and incidents such as these will not be tolerated.

“We would urge members of the local community to help us by reporting such incidents, so we can trace the persons responsible and deal with them.”

Blantyre MP Tom Greatrex has also been made aware of the concerns.

He said: “I am concerned by complaints of anti-social behaviour in High Blantyre, particularly on Main Street.

“It is unacceptable for a small minority to terrorise residents, particularly when many of them are elderly and now frightened to leave their homes.

“I have taken the particular incidents raised to the police, who have undertaken to follow them up.

“It is important that, whenever there are incidents such as these, they are reported to the police as soon as possible.”