Pensioners in police meetings over ned threat

Apr 21 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

ELDERLY tenants of a sheltered housing complex in the county which has been besieged by teen terrors met with cops this week to voice their concerns.

Officers from Blantyre Community Policing Team visited the Woodend housing complex, near Main Street, High Blantyre, after a spate of fire raising attacks, anti-social behaviour and vandalisms in recent months.

Residents claim the incidents – which they say have been caused by local youths – have been going on for years, but have recently got worse.

And other pensioners claim that the teenage gang have been intimidating and threatening them with violence in the street.

Meanwhile, local councillor Bert Thomson has called for mobile CCTV units to be installed at Woodend, as well as nearby Kirkton nursing home, to help catch the culprits.

Last month, the Advertiser reported how vandalism and abuse had become so bad, that an 80-year-old woman and her disabled son were forced to leave their own home in nearby Main Street.

This week, a 72-year-old woman who lives in Woodend explained that, despite articles in Advertiser about the issue, the problems have only worsened for local people

“Windows are still being smashed, tiles pulled off roofs, and bins are still being set on fire,” she said.

“It is a horrendous situation for people in the area. Everyone knows who these youths are, and that they live nearby, but no-one is willing to deal with it.

“We are all very frightened at the moment. They even intimidate some elderly people in the streets.

“I hate to say this, but they are even urinating in front of us in the street. It’s awful.”

She told the Advertiser that police have agreed to meet with residents at the sheltered housing complex to discuss their concerns.

“This isn’t just going to go away,” she fumed. “We have had a gate put up to make it harder for them to get in, but that doesn’t matter.

“We need the police, as well as social work, to do more to prevent this.

“There is going to be a serious incident if action is not taken.”

Councillor Thomson has taken up the cause of the concerned residents, putting requests for a CCTV unit in writing to Inspector Andy Munro as well as South Lanarkshire Council.

“Everyone is very well aware of the problems in High Blantyre at the moment, and that they have gone on for far too long,” said the councillor.

“At Woodend and at Kirkton Home, there are a lot of elderly and vulnerable people, who look to us to protect their quality of life.

“Unfortunately, certain people in our community are causing problems for them.

“I have already asked for increased police patrols in that area, and have had a great response, and have also been on to the council about more housing wardens there.

“But I have also asked the local police and council to back a mobile CCTV unit.

“I believe that this would act, not only as a deterrent to future anti-social behaviour from these individuals, but also as concrete proof if needed to catch the perpetrators.”

He added: “These are already vulnerable people, but now they are also anxious people, and something else has to be tried to put a stop to the problem.”

Inspector Andy Munro, of Blantyre Police, told the Advertiser that instances of anti-social behaviour is still a high priority for the police.

“We work closely with our partners in South Lanarkshire Council to deal with those who feel it is acceptable to bring misery to people's lives by causing disorder and general nuisance.

“My officers and I will continue to try to identify those responsible, and with the help of the local community of Blantyre I am confident we can do this.”

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman added: “We are aware of recent incidents of vandalism and fire-raising in this area.

“The local authority are working with our partners in Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to resolve the issues.

“In response to this, the council have increased patrols by the community wardens in the area.”

Residents who are suffering from anti-social behaviour should contact Blantyre Police Office on 202565.