Dozens of Edinburgh teenagers were dispersed from a busy Capital park over antisocial behaviour concerns following a slew of incidents in recent weeks.
Around 40 ‘senseless’ youngsters were admonished in the Sighthill area of the city after local residents shared concerns over ‘fires’ started in the popular green space during the evening.
Police Scotland deployed officers to the park, near the Powerleague five-a-side football pitches, on Friday evening.
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Neighbours had previously raised issues with the force over fears late-night disturbances could get out of hand following reports rowdy youths had set waste ground ablaze nearby.
Officers later confirmed 40 yobs had been ordered to leave the area on Friday evening.
It comes after locals reported "significant damage" to local woodlands and rugby pitches, forcing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to send appliances earlier this month.
A pile of rubbish was set alight, with emergency crews quickly responding to prevent the smouldering pyre from getting out of hand.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but had to be protected by police from a large presence of youths after responders were pelted with stones and other projectiles while dealing with an incident last month.
A tweet from Police Scotland read: "We had officers patrolling in Sighthill Park on Friday due to the recent fires that have taken place there.
"They disrupted a group of about 40 youths who were carrying out anti-social behaviour between the BP garage and the Powerleague."
