Published: Thursday, 12th October, 2006 09:38
Time to reclaim our streets
By Frances Ridge
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AN ACTION plan has been set out to tackle yobbish behaviour in one of Helensburgh's most troubled areas.
Crime-busting measures to make Kirkmichael safer were drawn up at a crisis meeting on Tuesday night.
The moves include a rapid police response to reports of disorder in the area and a greater use of ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) to shackle repeat offenders.
Kirkmichael has been persistently plagued by anti-social behaviour. Residents also say something must be done about the poor state of the area's housing.
Police, council members and politicians came together at Tuesday's meeting to discuss ways to improve the area and cut crime.
Members of the Kirkmichael Community Group and a cross-section of locals desperate to end their on-going problems also attended.
MSP Jackie Baillie, who called the meeting, said: `In the seven years I have been coming here there has been four murders and seven attempted murders.
`Some people have lived with this for decades and I am not leaving tonight unless we come up with a way to resolve this.`
Colin Galloway, community safety officer with Strathclyde Police, and David Rae, who works for Argyll and Bute Housing and Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) also attended the meeting.
Community members voiced their concerns over the lack of police patrolling the area and the poor response they received when they called the police, while some said they were too afraid to contact the police for fear of repercussions.
One outraged local said: `People think what is the point of reporting anything to the police, nothing happens and we get the impression they think that because it is Kirkmichael any problems we have are acceptable.`
However, police officer Colin Galloway insisted calling the police was essential in the fight against crime.
He said: `If you call the police it is the only way the problems will end. The system we have is still in its infancy but we need people to contact us with information to identify the hot-spots in the area.`
Old Luss Road and Williamson Avenue were identified as the area's worst affected by crime and vandalism and they will benefit from the set of targets devised by the group.
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