Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 13:30
We know where you live
By John Martin Fulton
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POLICE patrols flooding Kilwinning seem to have stopped organised gang-fighting among youths – by enlisting the help of their “horrified” parents.
And officers now claim to have enough intelligence about the gangs to “know where to go” if the youth disorder starts up again.
Large numbers of officers on bikes began patrolling Pennyburn and Blacklands as part of a crackdown after a police helicopter was called in to break up gathering gangs two months ago, resulting in air gun charges for one youngster.
But now reports of congregating youngsters have stopped and Community Safety Officer for the area PC George Robetrson said: “The area is back on an even keel.”
He said: “Cycling and walking patrols of these areas have helped us get a lot of intelligence.
“Where we have detected large groups of young people, some of them involved in organising gang fights, we take them back to their parents.
“The parents are horrified about what some of these children are involved in.
“They get reminded of their responsibility of care, which means that they get involved.”
Meanwhile, the on-the-ground patrols have helped police gather knowledge about exactly who is involved in the gang culture.
PC Robertson said: “We know who is in what gang, who the instigators are who are involved on a regular basis.
“So if it does kick-off again we know where to go.”
And the officer also thinks a good relationship with locals who are ready to contact Crimestoppers anonymously is crucial.
But he said that reports of trouble in the area had stopped – though he warned there may be a flare up during the summer holidays.
He said: “We continue to patrol the area because it’s all about being there and being seen to be there.”
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GRAVEROBBER WITH A GUILTY CONSCIENCE