Beach mayhem
Siew Peng Lee • Published 15 Jul 2011 08:05
11 Comments
REVELLERS caused "mayhem" at Aberdour's Silver Sands, with kids said to be as young as 13 drinking alcohol and cars racing in the field near the beach.
Around 300 youngsters are estimated to have descended on the Blue Flag beach following the end of the school term at the start of the month, resulting in 30 litres of alcohol seized and kids being taken home to their parents.
Aberdour Community Council secretary John Burrell said the police had been warned and praised officers' quick response in preventing "far worse mayhem".
He said, "The police were out in force on the Friday in plainclothes and in uniform because they were aware that being the last day of term there was going to be a huge gathering at Silver Sands.
"There were in excess of 300 youngsters there - that was what the police said - but some estimate it was more."
Revellers left a trail of litter around Silver Sands, as Mr Burrell continued, "There was a crowd of people having a picnic or barbecue in the field near the beach and when they finished they just walked away and left a huge amount of rubbish and beer bottles.
"The portable barbecues leave a burn in the grass and the picnic tables and there were a lot of them about after the weekend. It's a shame.
"But I was down there on the Sunday and it had been all cleared up. I'd like to say a big thank you to whoever cleaned it up."
Boy racers also descended on the field, as Mr Burrell explained, "A member of the public called me around 10.10pm on Saturday to say that around 9.30pm cars had come into the field and were racing round it.
"They had removed a big chain to get in - I got down there around 10.30pm and took photos which were sent along to the police.
"By the time the police got out the car racers had gone.
"It's not the first time it's happened but we can't have the police down there all the time and I hope anyone who sees it calls them up immediately."
Mr Burrell said such anti-social behaviour over the summer holidays had been a problem "for some time now".
He added, "With the social networks we have these days, it's very easy for young people to gather.
"It's a great place to have fun but please take your litter home and don't bring alcohol."
Councillor Alice McGarry said it was "depressing" to hear that kids as young as 13 had come from as far as Valleyfield to join in the "carry-on".
She added, "It gets a bit wild at the end of term and it was a general mess.
"We've got the cafe coming up and there's a worry about vandalism down there as it's a bit dark, so we've just got to keep an eye on it."
Community officer PC Graham Patience confirmed nine fixed penalty tickets had been issued, with one man charged for drinking in public.
He added, "During the patrols a large quantity of alcohol was seized from youths - over 30 litres - and four children were taken home to their parents.
"Patrols continued into the early hours of 2nd July with further checks carried out over the rest of the weekend."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Shah Hoorsur
Unregistered User
Jul 15, 10:54
Report commentDear oh dear, sleepy Aberdour is invaded by aliens from another planet.
Get real John Burrell, this was nothing like the "mayhem" which you and your fellow NIMBY's moan about.
I walked though this area twice with my dog on my way to and from Burntisland along the beach path on Friday night. There was nothing like 300 youngsters there, in fact apart from some loud-ish music and some high-spirited antics from some of the gathering, I saw nothing to be concerned about. I also didn't witness any police "out in force", another exaggeration methinks.
This so-called "community council" needs to take a hard look at themselves and also the real problems currently facing Aberdour, rather than crow about a few kids enjoying the beach on the first day of their holidays.
Recommend?
Yes 27
No 4
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Eck Stacie
Unregistered User
Jul 15, 12:17
Report commentPolice out in force. Even if they were what would they do?
Recommend? Yes 11
No 0
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Sickof it
Unregistered User
Jul 15, 17:50
Report commentPeople like John Burrel are being paid our tax money to whinge about kids enjoying the start of their holidays
Recommend? Yes 14
No 2
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wee eck
Unregistered User
Jul 15, 21:16
Report commentanother brick in the wall, burrel leave them kids alone.
Recommend? Yes 13
No 1
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Shah Hoorsur
Unregistered User
Jul 16, 18:46
Report commentJohn Burrell, ever the publicity-hungry "community councillor", perhaps you could post a comment here about what really went on last Friday night at Silver Sands? Perhaps you could detail what you actually witnessed, rather than going on "reports" from "members of the public"?
I repeat my comments above, that on both occasions when I walked through this area on the evening in question, I saw absolutely nothing illegal or anti-social to be concerned about; nothing more than high-spirited antics from a group of youngsters enjoying the first day of their holidays.
I won't hold my breath for any comments John, as having met you twice recently, I realise that you are far from interested in solving the real issues facing Aberdour.
Recommend? Yes 15
No 1
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Shah Hoorsur
Unregistered User
Jul 17, 10:43
Report commentMorning John
I'm still waiting for a comment from you re your statements to the 'Press.
Remind me, when exactly are the next "elections" for the community council?
Tick tock tick tock.....................................
Recommend? Yes 8
No 0
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Jesus
Unregistered User
Jul 18, 15:50
Report commentWe've all done the odd handbrake skid on a playing field. Gee me piece min!
Its better than skids on yir kegs.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 2
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lucifer
Unregistered User
Jul 18, 18:01
Report comment -
Jeely Nay
Unregistered User
Jul 19, 10:51
Report commentA few kids letting their hair down after the stress of the exams/end of the school term?
What next, they'll all be lyng about in the gutter with needles in their arms next.......gee me peace min!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 0
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Jake E Bassa
Unregistered User
Jul 20, 01:23
Report commentAh dinny ken whit append ere cos ah wiznae there, bit it diznae soond too bad. Ah mean 300 gadges an oanly 30 litres taxed bi tha polis???? Soonds like a bunch o lichtweights tae me. Ah mean c'mon ah tan 2 bottles eh buckie jist tae go tae the shows at abdabs wi ma bairns an that man.
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No 5
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hazel
Unregistered User
Jul 29, 14:05
Report commentDear Sick of it
John is not paid a penny the community council is all ran by volunteers and its their time that they give up for good of Aberdour if you are unfortunate to live in a place where you actually care about where you live you will not know about being a volunteer so in other words for those of you not knowing then butt out
Recommend? Yes 0
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