THE train drivers’ union has said they will “withdraw the service” if staff continue to feel threatened following renewed anti-social behaviour on the line between Helensburgh and Dumbarton Central last week.

Eight teenagers were arrested and three British Transport Police (BTP) officers were injured in a disturbance near Dumbarton Central on April 11.

Shortly before 9.30pm, officers arrested a 15-year-old-boy, from West Dunbartonshire, on board a train at the station for a Section 38 offence.

BTP say that following the arrest, the officers were involved in a clash with a group of young people, and they sustained minor injuries.

Five girls and two boys, all aged between 14 and 16 and from Dumbarton or West Dunbartonshire, were arrested for various public order offences.

The train drivers’ union ASLEF has said they will “withdraw the service” if rail staff feel threatened by continuing antisocial behaviour.

Kevin Lindsey, Scottish organiser at ASLEF, said: “The continuation of anti-social behaviour by youths on and around the railway in West Dunbartonshire is a major concern to train drivers who work these services.

“We wish to serve the people of West Dunbartonshire with a rail service, but we will have no hesitation in withdrawing the service if rail staff feel threatened, intimated or assaulted by the continuation of this behaviour.

“We will continue to work with other agencies to try and eradicate anti-social behaviour on Scotland’s railway.”

The strike warning comes less than a year after extra security was put in place at Helensburgh Central rail station.

The Advertiser previously reported that a train had been cancelled after a driver booked off sick due to stress following the rise of antisocial behaviour.

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance sustainability and safety assurance director, said: “Anti-social behaviour at our stations and on-board our trains is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police and other agencies to tackle this.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our priority, everyone should be able to go about their journey in peace.”

Helensburgh’s MSP Jackie Baillie has called for a “zero-tolerance” approach to tackling the issue, claiming there has been “sustained anti-social behaviour” along the Helensburgh and Balloch train lines, also affecting St James Retail Park in Dumbarton.

She said: “This kind of abusive behaviour is simply unacceptable and we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach.

“There has been sustained anti-social behaviour along the Helensburgh and Balloch train lines, and it has also affected St James’ Retail park in Dumbarton.

“There has been ongoing partnership working since last year with the police, British Transport Police, social work, and ScotRail working together to combat this sort of behaviour.”

Inspector Roddy MacNeill of Dumbarton Police said: “Youth disorder will not be tolerated in any form and our officers will continue to work closely with local partners to tackle this issue.

“Officers on patrol will be paying particular attention to the area and anyone caught engaging in this criminal behaviour will be arrested.

“I would urge anyone with information or concerns of this nature to contact Dumbarton Police Station or approach officers out on patrol.”

uiyuyuThe most recent incident at Dumbarton Central on Wednesday, April 11, saw officers arrest a 15-year-old-boy, from West Dunbartonshire, on board a train at Dumbarton Central for a Section 38 offence.

BTP say that following the arrest, the officers were involved in a clash with a group of young people, and they sustained minor injuries.

Five girls and two boys, all aged between 14 and 16 and from Dumbarton or West Dunbartonshire, were arrested for various public order offences.

The potential boycott comes following a spike in antisocial behaviour at Helensburgh Central last summer.

The increase in

comes following a spike in antisocial behaviour at the Helensburgh Central station last summer.

BTP confirmed that each of those arrested have been released on an undertaking to attend court on May 2, and that a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

And public figures have expressed concerns on the wider issue of youth crime in the area, with the train drivers’ union ASLEF even threatening to “withdraw the service” if rail staff feel threatened by continuing anti-social behaviour.

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance sustainability and safety assurance director, said: “Anti-social behaviour at our stations and on-board our trains is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to work with the British Transport Police and other agencies to tackle this.

“The safety of our customers and employees is our priority, everyone should be able to go about their journey in peace.”

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has called for a “zero-tolerance” approach to tackling the issue, claiming there has been “sustained anti-social behaviour” along the Helensburgh and Balloch train lines, also affecting St James Retail Park in Dumbarton.

She said: “This kind of abusive behaviour is simply unacceptable and we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach.

“There has been sustained anti-social behaviour along the Helensburgh and Balloch train lines, and it has also affected St James’ Retail park in Dumbarton.

“There has been ongoing partnership working since last year with the police, British Transport Police, social work, and ScotRail working together to combat this sort of behaviour.

“Just this week there was a meeting held with retailers at St. James’ Retail Park to respond to their concerns.

“I am clear that action must be taken to stop the small minority of young people engaged in anti-social behaviour.”

And Dumbarton Councillor David McBride also expressed his worries, saying: “ These reports are extremely concerning, no-one should feel unsafe or intimated at work.

“Additionally this behaviour will affect other members of the travelling public or those shopping at St James Retail Park.

“I would welcome a report back from the agencies concerned what action is planned and seek an assurance this small minority of youths are not able to continue causing such disturbance.”

Inspector Roddy MacNeill of Dumbarton Police said: “Youth disorder will not be tolerated in any form and our officers will continue to work closely with local partners to tackle this issue.

“Officers on patrol will be paying particular attention to the area and anyone caught engaging in this criminal behaviour will be arrested.

“I would urge anyone with information or concerns of this nature to contact Dumbarton Police Station or approach officers out on patrol.”