POLICE have continued their mounted patrols in Irvine and their appeal to parents and carers to know where their young people are and what they are up to when out.

Police Scotland say a minority of young people are still causing problems for the Bourtreehill and Broomlands community with continued incidents of antisocial behaviour in the area.

There have been reports of vandalism, theft of wheelie bins, fires, underage drinking and arrests over alleged drugs offences in recent weeks.

Last Friday night, three juveniles were reported for alleged disorder offences, two underage young people under the influence of alcohol were taken home and three apprehension warrants executed.

A 34-year-old man has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly buying alcohol for underage teenagers from licensed premises in Bourtreehill.

At around 6.15pm on Sunday, January 8, police received reports of suspicious activity at Lower Vennel, Irvine.

Response policing officers attended and following a review of CCTV at licensed premises and in public spaces, the man was been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly purchasing alcohol on behalf of young people aged 13 and 15.

Constable Colin Johnson, of the Irvine Locality Policing Team, said: “We have continued patrols in response to community concerns regarding antisocial behaviour and disorder in the Bourtreehill and Broomlands area.

“On Friday we were supported by officers from the Police Scotland Mounted Branch who provide a very visible presence when patrolling to hopefully reassure residents who may not always seeour traditional patrols on foot, cycle or in vehicles.

“These patrols follow a period of engagement where we worked alongside our partners at North Ayrshire Council Youth Services and local community groups to find out what young people wanted in the area.

“Unfortunately a minority have continued to engage in antisocial behaviour despite all our efforts to offer positive alternatives.

“We will now work with our partners to address any issues in relation to offending and underage alcohol consumption.

“It was reassuring to hear that a number of parents and carers had taken the time to speak with their young people about issues in the area following our previous posts on social media and coverage in the local press.

“I would again appeal to the majority of young people to consider how the actions of the minority in their group is having a negative impact on their community and not to tolerate their behaviour.”