'Bored' kids starting fires
Graham Gibson • Published 6 Aug 2012 09:30
5 Comments
BOOZED-UP and bored schoolkids are lighting fires in a West Fife village to amuse themselves during their summer holidays.
An alcohol crackdown in Aberdour saw police officers confiscate 25 litres from youths on the first weekend of the school break.
And the West Fife village has been warned to beware rogue fireraising after being swamped by an influx of youths during the holidays.
Local area Community Inspector John Lawson said, "Over the past few weekends Aberdour has seen an influx of youngsters from nearby towns and villages.
"This has led to an increase in complaints from local people as well as young people coming to the adverse notice of the police regarding their conduct and overall standard of behaviour.
"Offences such as drinking in public and having open containers of alcohol, both of which are prohibited by local byelaws, have also been detected."
Experience also shows there is an increase in wilful fire-raising in the Silver Sands area of Aberdour over the summer school holidays.
Station manager for Dunfermline Fire Station, Dave Wishart, said, "As the weather sets to improve we are likely to see an increase in deliberate fires in the area.
"Young people are out of school, getting bored and lighting fires for amusement.
"The important issue is that young people should understand the danger of lighting fires.
"On many occasions, we have seen the results of a prank or game go tragically wrong and someone ends up seriously injured."
High-visibility police foot patrols have identified large numbers of youngsters and evidence of underage drinking in the area of Silver Sands beach, an area which is set to be given extra attention by officers.
Inspector Lawson added, "I can also assure residents that both mobile and foot patrols will continue over the coming weeks.
"We will use measures such as mobile CCTV as we look to provide Safer Neighbourhoods by reducing anti-social behaviour and tackling alcohol misuse."
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 06 Aug 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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HaroldAngryperson
8 posts
Aug 6, 19:17
Report commentBored? Nonsense! There's more for this generation to do than ever before. No doubt they'll be arrested, given a stern talking to, then released! Bring back the birch?
Recommend?
Yes 13
No 4
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BobTheBuilder
111 posts
Aug 6, 19:35
Report commentPfft - there's been so much rain that anything combustible is bound to be soaked, and if it does manage to catch light then the next downpour will put it out. Surely the same nimbys who are hell-bent on catching speeding motorists should be out effecting citizens arrests if they know where / when the issues occur.
Recommend? Yes 8
No 7
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lydiapot1
118 posts
Aug 7, 14:32
Report commentHot off the press: - The serving Fife Chief Constable is mandated to attend court in November to face a criminal charge, with the first trial date set for December 2012.
How can the people of Fife now be expected to have confidence in such an important position being properly served whilst the serving officer has this hanging over them. I think the people of Fife deserves for the right thing to be done until such times as this is concluded. Fife Constabulary, do the right thing for the people of Fife and Scotland, please.
Recommend? Yes 6
No 1
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maclam
317 posts
Aug 9, 09:07
Report commentit was not hot off the dunfermline press who seem to shy away from this serious local newsworthy story line . if the national press regard it as important enough to report iwould have expected a local fife paper such as the press would regard something as serious as this worthy of reporting . if found guilty give her points on her licence, a fine and send her out with a sweeping brush and a bucket of water to deal with the problems these firestarters have caused.
Recommend? Yes 9
No 0
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bicyclebob
159 posts
Aug 11, 14:15
Report commentTHEY GET TOLD OFF AND SENT HOME,well done our brave cops.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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