Sports activities set up to prevent young people from engaging in antisocial behaviour in West Dunbartonshire are having a positive impact according to councillors.
The local authority is developing its safe delivery and improvement group (DIG) which now has a dedicated community police team looking to tackle key issues and challenges around the area.
During the most recent community planning meeting, councillors praised the work of the safe DIG which they believe has led to a reduction in criminal activity on trains and at Balloch Park because of the swimming and gym activities that have been established.
Earlier this year, we told how gangs of unruly youths causing mayhem for fed-up passengers led to ScotRail and British Transport Police teaming up to crack down on a spike in railway disorder.
In May, rail union RMT issued a warning saying train staff could refuse to work on services on the line – with one worker saying she was left traumatised after attempting to remove brawling thugs who boarded a service in Alexandria.
Labour councillor Michelle McGinty said: “We have definitely seen a reduction in local antisocial behaviour from youths.
“A lot of work went in from yourselves and the council to [make this happen] through the swims and gyms scheme.
“Is this something that is worth continuing? There is still going to be antisocial behaviour, there’s no doubt about that, but has the number of local youths engaging in antisocial behaviour decreased especially on the trains and in Balloch Park.
“Is that the kind of data that we have or we could look at because I think it could be really interesting and an argument for continuing some of the schemes over the summer as an alternative to people getting into trouble or taking part in underage drinking.”
A representative from Police Scotland confirmed that information would be available through the Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland scrutiny board.
Lorna Gibson, of Police Scotland, said: “In terms of diversionary activities, I do believe that they do have an impact and actually from my own perspective in Police Scotland, we have a partnership initiative fund which is given to each divisional commander across the country every year.
“We have used that to fund a number of local diversion campaigns for youths along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue.
“I think focusing youths on something positive does help with behavioural issues.”
