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Mobile CCTV cameras to crack down on youth crime menace

DRUNK and rowdy teenagers who are plaguing residents will have nowhere to hide over the summer holidays as police launch a crackdown on youth crime.

The pre-emptive strike is designed to prevent a spate of crime and antisocial behaviour in the Morningside area after a 100 per cent increase in calls to police during the Easter break.

Temporary and mobile CCTV cameras will monitor the area, which currently has no surveillance coverage, to track down troublemakers and under-age drinkers.

Police have identified four main trouble “hotspots” to target: Morningside Road, Morningside Drive, Comiston Road and Bruntsfield Links.

Youngsters who are repeatedly caught drinking or causing trouble will face the prospect of having letters sent to their parents, being forced to accept an antisocial behaviour contract or even being arrested.

At Easter, the majority of incidents involved young drunks and antisocial behaviour, although police say there was an “alarming increase” in vandalism and crime.

The worst was an attack by a gang of youths on a 48-year-old man who was walking through Morningside Park.

More than a dozen teenagers blocked his path with a mattress then assaulted him, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

Inspector Tom Galbraith, who is leading the crackdown, said: “We do have a problem in the area with youth-related calls, which range from the usual congregation problems, alcohol issues and intimidation, but there has also been a rise in crime and assault, so we clearly have to do something about it.

“Now that we are coming up to the summer, we would anticipate these problems would rise again.”

Officers hope they will be able to curb problems before they take hold by giving young people “diversionary activities”.

Events, including football games and day trips to adventure parks, have been put in place during the summer in a bid to tempt youngsters away from alcohol and crime.

The events have been organised by the 3Ms - Merchiston, Morningside, Marchmont - youth project, which is working with police and the council.

But some feel more activities are needed for youngsters to keep them off the streets.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, the city’s education leader and chairwoman of the 3Ms project, said more action is needed.

She said: “Youth facilities are desperately needed.

“It has in the past been regarded as an area that is middle class and doesn’t need any help, but the young people are as bored as any others and need something to do.

“There is a lot of effort going into providing activities, but it’s just scratching the surface when I think about what it required.”

Insp Galbraith said he hopes preventative techniques mean police having to make fewer arrests and charge youngsters.

He said: “All children are dealt with differently. We have to look at backgrounds as well. That’s why it’s not just about going down the enforcement route.

“The last thing anyone wants is to put youths into the criminal process if we don’t need to.”

The crackdown will initially last three months, but there is a possibility it will be extended.

Suzi Wong, chairwoman of Morningside Community Council, said: “I don’t know what happened during Easter, the kids all seemed to go mad at the same time, so I’m hoping this means it won’t be the same during the summer holidays.

“I’m sure it will have an effect on them hanging about here.”