THE tide is finally turning against crime around Irvine harbourside - thanks to the efforts of a group of community-minded residents determined to keep it free from violence and other offences.
Irvine Harbour Residents Association was formed following the murder of 16-year-old Kayden Moy at the beach in 2025.
That tragedy followed years of long summers of anti-social behaviour, underage drinking and violence at the beach and on local streets.
The residents and business owners who came together to form the association say they'd had enough. And since then, positive moves have been made to transform the area for both Irvine folk and visitors.
Group spokesperson David McCabe told the Times: "Our community was left in shock, sadness and frustration last summer when that horrific incident happened here.
"We warned for many years that an incident like that would happen and that it was only a matter of time before it did. Nobody listened to us. Nothing changed. Last year, it was the very last straw.
"With the help of our local MP, Ayrshire police, North Ayrshire Council, Riverside, and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, the residents and businesses of Irvine Harbourside got together and formed Irvine Harbour Residents Association.
"Alan Gemmell MP and Sergeant Thomson of Ayrshire police heard our voices, and things slowly began to change here."
Since then, the association has worked hard to be heard - and to make the harbour area a better and safer place to live and to visit.
Working alongside other agencies, the work has included:
- The introduction of the Safer Shores initiative, which sees police, North Ayrshire Council and youth development charities working together at peak times of the summer season to be present in key areas (such as train stations and the beach) in order to identify potential trouble.
- Police presence has been increased and stop and search powers have been extended - including the confiscation of alcohol from under-aged.
- Cameras have been installed along the harbour front and down to the beach, which are monitored by North Ayrshire Council and coordinated with police.
- Residents and businesses at the harbourside set up a WhatsApp group where they can post what is happening and where, in real time, and contact police as needed.
- Police patrols have been increased, both on foot, by car and quad bikes, which enable the beach and beach park to be monitored more effectively.
The group has been working with local businesses, including Duncan's, The Harbour Lights, The Niche, Gro and others to improve the area. Riverside Scotland representatives attended a meeting this week, too.
At that meeting in Puffers Cafe on Monday evening, members heard reports of someone carrying a machete in the street during a recent afternoon.
But David added: "We have noticed a difference this year. Obviously, there have still been incidents, but I know the police are working really hard and pulling out all the stops."
In a statement, the association said: "Thanks to the effort of police, North Ayrshire Council, our local MPs and councillors, and everyone who lives and works in Irvine Harbourside, things are definitely, slowly but surely, changing for the better.
"It shows very clearly that a big difference can be made when communities come together, work together and say enough is enough.
"So while you may see in the press about several arrests being made at the beach during the good weather and think to yourself, 'that's terrible that there's so much trouble there still' – that actually is not the case.
"There have been so many arrests because there is a much bigger police presence here now. "
They concluded: "For the first time in years, the families who live here can go and enjoy a day at the beach. This is something that a lot of people haven't been able to do for many years.
"It's a strong, close community here, and we will continue to work hard to address these issues to make it a better, safer place to live and visit."
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