Police crackdown as kids as young as 12 cause disorder at Glenrothes bus station

Police have joined forces with Fire officers in vowing to crackdown on the problems following several weeks of criminality, including assaults, vandalism and deliberate fire setting, which has plagued the area and resulted in a spike in emergency service call outs.

Glenrothes community sergeant Kenny Greig told the Gazette the trouble is thought largely to be down to about a dozen 12-15-year-old youths who are targeting the area both in the daytime as well as at night.

“Community officers and plain clothes officers, working with assistance from special onstables and Fife Council community wardens, are taking part in increased patrols in attempts to address this issue and prevent future crimes,” said added.

“I’m appealing to all local parents and guardians to become more involved in their own community by knowing where your child is and asking, who are they meeting and are they in a safe environment.

“A common theme when youngsters are taken home to their parents or are put into custody is firstly shock that their child is involved and secondly, they didn’t actually know where their child was going.”

Andwith the Easter school holidays being a particularly problematic period in recent years, Glenrothes fire chief Graham Arnott said his fire crews will continue to work with thier colleagues from Police Scotland to ensure any deliberate fire is fully investigated.

He added: “During spring our personnel will be working around the clock, not just fighting fires, but visiting schools and youth groups to engage with young people.

“We would urge parents to ensure that their children understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services.”

While across Scotland the instances of deliberate fires has decreased in the period of the past four years there were still 2,428 deliberate fires recordedacross Scotland inspring 2015.

Five ways to help fight crime in your area:

1. Being aware of strangers loitering in your street .

2. Contacting Police to share information on anyone who deliberately sets fires.

3. Report any build-up of rubbish to your local authority or community fire station.

4. Ensuring you are aware of where the children or young people you look after are – and what they’re doing.

5. Making sure that children are aware of the risks of playing with fire and the consequences of deliberately setting a fire.