A monumental nuisance
SELKIRK's community police officer admitted this week her force did not have the resources to trawl through hours of CCTV footage in a bid to identify young people engaged in anti-social behaviour in the town.
PC Lesley Shiell was responding to claims at Monday's meeting of the community council that the police could be more proactive in halting ball games and noisy gatherings of 14 and 15-year-olds in the area around the Mungo Park monument at the foot of the lower Back Row.
"We have to prioritise the calls we deal with, but it is important people make complaints at the specific time incidents are taking place," said PC Shiell. "I admit it is an ongoing problem ... we move youngsters on one night and they are back again the next."
But she agreed to follow up a letter of complaint which had been sent to the community council on behalf of seven residents, most living in the sheltered housing complex at The Bield.
Asking that their names be kept confidential, they claimed up to 20 young people frequently gathered near the monument.
"The problem with anti-social behaviour of some of them has increased markedly in the past couple of years and one of the most distressing practices is the playing of ball games.
"From about 7pm onwards there can be as many as three footballs being kicked around, frequently hitting surrounding buildings and occasionally windows. Passing vehicles do not seem to deter them and it is very fortunate no accidents have occurred. Pedestrians are also at risk of being hit.
"Many of us have found this so alarming we have repeatedly contacted the police who take note of the complaint and, whenever manpower permits, respond.
"Unfortunately, because there is no local police presence, by the time a patrol car arrives, the activity has inevitably stopped. It is impossible to enjoy a relaxed evening at home."
The letter stated that recently departed Catholic priest Andrzej Schulsynski had had occasion to call the police as late as 2am about the noise nuisance from ball games.
The residents asked if the community council would support a "no ball games" sign being erected, but the consensus was this would make little difference if the police could not enforce it.
Earlier PC Shiell said there had been 11 crimes recorded in July, three of which had been solved.
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Weather for Selkirk
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
