A POLICE sergeant is calling on parents to do more to curb the escalation in disorder in Dunfermline’s town centre. 

Despite more than 100 letters being sent out to mums and dads of unruly youths, only a few responded to the force’s zero tolerance campaign. 

Sgt. Neil McGurk told the Press: “We are extremely grateful to the handful of parents who have taken the time to contact us, saying their child is grounded or will no longer will be allowed to hang around, however the overall response has been pretty disappointing.

"We need parents to be on board, we cannot do this alone.”

Anti-social behaviour has escalated since the start of the year with gangs of up to 50 youths congregating in Dunfermline town centre. 

It has left members of the public intimidated and, two weeks ago, police said they would drag parents in for questioning if their kids continued to cause trouble.

Sgt. McGurk said: “Community officers are working hard with schools to enforce the message, however it appears in the main to be falling on deaf ears.”

Last week a 17-year-old male was charged with possession on controlled drugs with intent to supply, while he was in the company of youngsters as young as 12. 

And he added: “Parents need to wake up to the type of crime that is happening.

"I can’t find any reason as to why 12 year-olds are hanging around the bus station at 10 o’clock at night.

"I appeal again for parents to take action and be aware of what their kids are up to.”