A POLICE chief has urged parents in Rosyth to know what their children are up to to help them combat a rise in anti-social behaviour in the town.

The plea follows an incident when eggs were thrown at parishioners and the parish priest of SS John and Columba’s RC Church last Tuesday.

Three boys – two 12 year-olds and one age 13 – have since been charged by Police Scotland and a report will be submitted to the Children’s Reporter.

Police Scotland’s Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Irene Ralston, said they were aware of increased levels of anti-social behaviour in the Rosyth area.

“Both community and response officers have increased the number of hours they spend on patrol in the town, focusing our patrols in the right places at the right times,” she said.

“We are also seeking to bring in resources from outwith Fife Division to assist and we are working alongside partner agencies such as community wardens.

“A number of people have been charged by police and enquiries are continuing. 

“It is worthy of note that in the main, local children are responsible and I urge all parents to know where your children are and what they are doing.

"The police cannot resolve this alone and the most important player in the issue is local families.”

Local councillor Mike Shirkie said he hoped councillors, police, social workers and youth workers planned to work together to try to come up with a solution.

He said the worrying increase of anti-social behaviour in the town would be discussed at a local council meeting next week which police representatives were attending.

“The incident at the Catholic church we know about but there have been other incidents throughout the town and we are concerned,” he told the Press.

“We are just concerned at this sudden increase in anti-social behaviour. What we are trying to do it sit down with police and work out how to nip it in the bud.

“We are not just looking at the police for help, we are discussing this with social workers and youth workers because I think it is a composite solution we need.

"We need to engage and get input about initiatives we can do to get them off the streets and minimise any further anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Shirkie said he was disappointed that such incidents take away from all the positive things happening around the town.

“I think, for me, it is difficult to take,” he said. “We have worked hard in Rosyth to get the town up and running.

"We have had the gala, the centenary celebrations and we are working very hard to make sure the gala event is an annual one. We have the PKD extravaganza coming up and the Camdean development.

“The worry I have got is it is a few bad eggs and they give the rest of our youngsters a bad name and it doesn’t do much for the town in trying to create a vibrant town that people want to come and live and work in.”

Rosyth Community Council chairperson Steven Leckie said they were saddened by last week’s incident.

“In regards to if there is a problem of vandalism in the town, this is not helped by lack of amenities in the town as we do not have a sports centre or any leisure facilities,” he said. 

“As for the policing of Rosyth, maybe community wardens are needed to help the police.”

After last week’s incident, local parish priest Father Kevin Dow spoke of his disappointment.

“It’s dreadfully sad that in today’s Scotland we still have young people who seem to be brought up or encouraged from elsewhere to be anti-Catholic and to do so in an open, intimidating and violent way,” he said.