Communities in Renfrewshire have been dealing with a “worrying” increase of antisocial behaviour, a councillor has said.
Jamie McGuire, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, says that two recent incidents have required intervention from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
The first involved a fire deliberately set to a bin along the Clyde Walkway in Ferry Village and the second saw planks of wood set alight in Clydeview Park.
Councillor McGuire says these acts of vandalism are not only “reckless” but put lives and property at risk.
The Labour representative has also noticed a rise in graffiti across his ward – with residents now informing him they are “scared” to leave their homes due to the behaviour of yobs in the community.
He is now calling for an increased presence of community police officers in the town to help deal with the rise in antisocial behaviour.
“This rise in defacement, combined with the arson incidents, points to a wider issue with antisocial behaviour that must be addressed urgently,” he told the Paisley Daily Express.
“Residents have told me they are scared to leave their homes, and this is simply unacceptable. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, free from the fear of intimidation or harm.
To tackle this, I am calling for an increased presence of community police officers in our town. More officers on the ground would act as a visible deterrent to antisocial behaviour while also helping to reassure residents.
“Community policing plays a vital role in fostering relationships with residents, identifying problem areas, and addressing issues before they escalate.”
The councillor went on thank the emergency services for their continued actions in dealing with calls when required.
A collaborative effort from everyone is what it will take to stamp it out, he said. He added: “However, this alone is not enough. Those responsible for antisocial acts must be held accountable for their behaviour. This requires a collaborative effort between police, the council, and the wider community.
“We need to ensure that resources are in place to prevent repeat incidents, support those affected, and address the root causes of this behaviour.
“I would like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of the emergency services, who respond to these incidents swiftly and professionally. Their dedication is commendable, but we must do more to prevent them from being called out to deliberate acts of harm.”
Chief Inspector Alex Marshall, local area commander for Police Scotland, said: “We are acutely aware of the disruptive effect anti-social behaviour can have on a community.
“Local officers are working closely with partners to address these issues and find meaningful solutions to direct people away from this mindless activity.
“Dedicated patrols are carried out in the area, with officers providing reassurance to the community as well as engaging with people and discouraging antisocial behaviour.
“We are committed to encouraging people away from this kind of behaviour but will take appropriate action where incidents are reported and offenders identified.
“Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour in their area is encouraged to contact police by calling 101 as promptly as possible.”
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